MrsCooper

This is probably not too much farther than Chicago from you and a lot less hastle. Dr. Brian Lahmann Silver Cross Hospital Joliet, Illinois 815-723-8571

Dan, My doctor didn't require a pre-op liquid diet either - when I asked him why he told me that they have patients do the pre-op liquids to "shrink" things up inside of you (such as your liver) - he said that he makes an extra incision so that he can move the liver out of the way so the pre-op diet is not necessary.

Hi Jami, As you said, everyone has different experiences. Here's mine... I got banded on a Friday afternoon (just a month ago) and was back at work on Monday morning. I work in an office environment and sit in a cube all day so there is no strenuous activity involved in my work at all. I was only in 'pain' for a day or 2... I was in discomfort for about a week. The pain was around the incisions and from having the port (a foreign object) under the skin, the discomfort was from the incisions and from when I would eat - I had a hard time telling the difference between being sore and being full. That only lasted 2 days. I found that the more I walked the better I felt.

These doctors should take on Mexico patients for fills... usually they will not bill your insurance if you have not had the procedure done with them. I'm not sure where they're all at, but hopefully this will help a little. Trace W. Curry, M.D. (Cincy Area) 10475 Reading Road, #117 Evendale, OH 45241 513-559-1222 www.thebanddoctor.com Dr. Fragleman 513-791-0707 Dr. Chlysta 330 344-1100

The one I called is Dr. Chua. He charges $300 for the first visit + $300 per fill, so the first visit is $600 cash in hand. If you did not get banded by him he will not bill your insurance.

Here are 3 places that will take patients banded elsewhere: Dr. Thomas Chua Milwaukee, Wisconsin 414-281-9665 Midwest Bariatric Solutions Theda Clark Medical Plaza, Suite #410 Neenah, WI 54956 920-725-4527 or 800-236-2236 Dr. James Wallace Milwaukee, Wisconsin 414-805-5747

I was banded on Feb. 22 -- I drink an Isopure everyday (you can buy it at GNC...it's kind of pricey, but worth it... the powder is icky, the premixed is good) -- it has 40 grams of protien in every drink - the protein helps to make you feel full longer, and it also aids in the healing of muscles. Also drank a lot of chicken broth the first 2 weeks.

Are you going to Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey, Mexico?

Hello! I am in Wisconsin too, in the Milwaukee area. I was banded on Feb. 22 of this year and going in for my first fill on the day you are getting banded. Good luck to you and keep in touch!

I'm sure you both will be very pleased with the doctor and his staff. It was an excellent experience for me and I highly recommend him. His nutritionist, Priscilla De la Garza, held my hand through the entire process. I am going back there on Wednesday of this week for my first fill - Priscilla called today to make arrangements for my transportation to the clinic -- this was a nice surprise because originally I was told that you provide your own transportation, but she said they were able to get a driver for the people coming in that day. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Oh - Nicole.... as far as the acid reflux goes... I don't know if this will apply to you or not, but a guy that got banded on the same day as me was having problems with acid reflux before the surgery - while putting the band in Dr. Rodriguez noticed he had a small hernia so he repaired it - apparently that was what was causing his reflux.

Tina, I am today exactly where you were when you posted this. How's it going now? Still the same? Just curious...

Here's an interesting article I found it's called The Couch-to-5K Running Plan. It gets you started slowly and brings you to running 3 miles in a matter of 2 months. Check it out Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

I found a Protein drink today that's pretty good. It's called Muscle Milk and you can buy it at Walgreens. It's a little pricey - a 4 pack is $8, but it has 22g of protein -- the protein makes you feel full longer. The taste is pretty good too. I checked with my nutritionist - she said it is ok to drink 1-2 a day while on the liquid diet. Oh, the one I bought is the carb conscious one. chocolate - yum... I had it for Breakfast and it really did curb my appetite, plus I filled up faster at lunch.

if you click on anyone's ticker it'll take you to a site where you can create one - then you add the code for it to your signature.

Dr. Chua in Milwaukee will take Dr. Rodriguez's patients. I haven't checked into fill prices yet, but will let you know as soon as I do! There are also 2 other doctors in Milwaukee that work with Dr. Rodriguez - I was familiar with Dr. Chua so that is who I will go to. I don't remember the names of the other doctors. On Dr. Rodriguez's website (Lap band surgery - Gastric Banding - Grupo Endro-Bariatrico Mexico) he lists fill doctors by state that work with him.

Hi Jacque, I was banded on Feb. 22nd as well! I'm feeling pretty good, just hungry all the time. Take care and good luck!!

Kat, Thanks for this post... I am newly banded and this post addressed many of the questions and concerns that I have. Thank you, Thank you Thank you!!!

Ok, I hope this doesn't sound stupid but here goes.... My stomach seems to 'gurgle' a lot... yesterday I mistook this for growling and had some broth, but this didn't stop the gurgling. Does anyone know if there's anything to quiet it down? It doesn't hurt in any way, it's just kind of loud and embarassing and I'm going back to work today so I was hoping for advice... The 2nd thing I have is I can't tell when I'm hungry, full, or just having a few pains (I just was banded 3 days ago). When I think I'm hungry and have even a sip of Water my stomach cramps... I don't have a problem keeping anything down, but what I'm associating with feeling full happens immediately after the first sip of water. If I continue to drink the feeling doesn't get any worse no matter how much I have and the feelings of hunger return within an hour or so. Any ideas??? Thanks!!

Thanks for the link, it really helped! Any ideas on my other issue??

Mary, I went to Dr. Arturo Rodriguez on Friday to be banded and I agree... I don't think I would have gotten a staff anywhere in the states that was as personable as his!

Hi Alyssa, I was just banded on Friday in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez and it was a wonderful experience! The cost was $7900 - I arrived there on Friday morning, they did the procedure on Friday afternoon, and I was home (Wisconsin) by Sunday evening. This morning I wake up to very minimal soreness and feeling great - in fact I am going back to work today. Dr. Rodriguez and his staff were amazing! They were very attentive and extremely friendly. They had someone 'hold my hand' through the whole process...she was there to answer any questions I had and to make sure I was comfortable. She was with me throughout the ENTIRE process. On Wednesday, Dr. Rodriguez is going to Texas to teach a few doctors how to place the band - He is a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. In case you're interested, here's a link to his website: Lap band surgery - Gastric Banding - Grupo Endro-Bariatrico Mexico

Hi Leah! I was banded on Friday as well! I'm feeling really good and have noticed the more I walk the less sore I am... I found that out on accident as I travelled back from Monterrey through Houston and the airport is HUGE! Since I had a long layover I decided to do all the walking myself (as opposed to getting wheel chair assistance), by last night my soreness was almost completely gone. The gas, however, is still there... I will have to go buy some gasx today. I feel great and I'm going back to work today, my friends say I'm crazy and that it's too soon, but I really feel up to it and besides... if I start to feel bad I can always come home. Nice to meet you!!

In my research I have read very good things about Dr. Rumbault in Monterrey but I'm not at all familiar with Dr. Kuri. I have not gone for my surgery yet, but when I finally do go I have decided on Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey. There are several on this board that have gone to him and I have yet to hear anything negative. He is also very personable... I have conversed with him and his office assistant, Marisol, several times. His website, in case you're interested, is Lap band surgery - Gastric Banding - Grupo Endro-Bariatrico Mexico Good Luck!

Hello Everyone,I have been searching and searching for a doctor that is inexpensive, but that I was comfortable with. I have researched doctors in the US, India, and Mexico. The 3 most important factors were 1)cost 2)safety and 3)experience. There were a lot of doctors that fit into the safety and experience categories - cost was another story, but was very important to me because I am paying out of pocket. I have decided to go with Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey, Mexico. His cost is $7900 and that includes everything except airfare.I have not set a date yet, but will do that within the next 2 weeks. I will be scheduling for sometime in March. I am wondering if anyone else is looking to do this and will be going it alone and would be interested in going at the same time - that way we won't feel completely alone and will have someone to share the fears, excitement, and overall experience with every step of the way.Let me know if you or anyone you know may be interested. Thanks!! <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Very interested... Thanks!