pati-o

Michelle, I knew from the beginning that I'd be getting my fills as close to home as possible. And Michigan is a LONG way from TJ. I knew when I got on the plane to come home that the only way I'd be going back was if I had to have the band revised or removed. The airfare, taxi, hotel, food and fill would be over 1000.00 each time if I returned to TJ, and unfortunately that's just not possible. And truthfully.... I felt VERY uneasy just being in Mexico itself. That's why I found someone who's (in my opinion) highly qualified and close to home. he's done over 200 bands himself and has a nice weight loss clinic set up- he was one that I called to get a price from and talked to before I found out how much surgery costs. If I had insurance that would have covered the band I would have had it done in Port Huron Michigan. So now,I need to have my fills take up no more then 1/2 of a day due to my schedule and the schedules of my 4 young children. I wish I could go back to Dr. Kuri, I'd be crazy not to if I lived close like you do. His fills are FREE for life. And yes, this Dr. will do flouro. not every time, but he does use an ultrasound to guide the needle into the port so that the chances of damaging the port or puncturing the tubing are lessened.

You're all right. I know my DH will come around. I think it will help that I am on mushies starting tomorrow, so I can eat what I cook and I'll be able to sit down and eat some of the food that my family is eating. I am so excited! Have I told all of you how great your help and advice is!!! YOU"RE GREAT!!!

OOPS. Maybe I didn't explain that right. It's 250 for the 1st visit, 150 each visit after that- three visits at those rates is 550.00. I don't get a 4th one free, the 4th, 5th etc.. would all be 150 each. I just wonder how many fills everyone else needed in the 1st and 2nd year, and if it would be worth the 2000.00 for the unlimited fills should I need lots of them, plus have unlimited access to a dietician and support groups. Thanks!

YEAH! Now I can show my family something to prove that I didn't just jump into some experimental new thing-

Ok, so I know I'm just obsessing over all of this, I think I need to get out and do something to get my mind off of this whole thing! I know my DH will get better about this. I think he's just afraid, and you're all right- he'll come around. I keep reminding him that this is temporary, and that chances are we wouldn't even be going out to eat for another month anyway! We live in the Boonies and we are being extra cheap these days since we just paid and arm and leg (and a whole lotta other body parts too) for my surgery. And I'm going on strike until sunday (My mushy days begin)- I'm NOT cooking for my family- they can eat cereal all day! Thanks everyone- I am so grateful to have found this board!!!!

Melissa: Your post really makes me think.. And I am definately a baby bandster- I still have the "what if this thing doesn't work" mentality - just like all of the diets I've tried in the past. I'm terrified (liquid phase) that I'll do something to damage my band- eat too much Jello or too much liquid at one time (is that even possible??LOL) I'm so HYPERFOCUSED on this thing- I know I need to relax and thing about the future a bit more and from different perspectives too. I'd love to have brand new SPARK! That is definately something to look forward to! THanks!!

My husband met me when I was 140 lbs. That was about 3 monthes after I had lost over 70 lbs on diet pills, so after we started dating I steadily gained weight and was 220lbs on my wedding day. And through 4 pregnancies and 12+ yrs he's known me this way. I do tell him every day that I love him, and I do everything I normally do (including cooking homemade pizza for my family- was that ever HARD LOL). But for some reason I feel like he's giving me the cold shoulder and is angry. PLUS, I have gotten ~~ZERO~~ understanding for the fact that I've had surgery- no offers to cook, carry laundry baskets, vacuum. After my 3 c-sections he bent over backwards. I'm just a little worried.......

Michelle, EEK! I don't know if I want to tell him about the sex life improving, he'll start removing ALL of the food from the house so that I can lose weight faster! LOL

Hi Vicky, I have had so many thoughts similar to yours. I live in Michigan, had to self pay and therefore had to rule out any US doctor based on price alone. I'm an OPS nurse (R.N.) and work with a TON of surgeons, but wondered if a single one of them would look at me if I had complications from a mexican placed band. Not ONCE did I ever consider a RNY even though they are performed in my own hospitals surgery dept. I've seen and heard of way too many complications from those things. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just saying that they scared the heck out of ME, so I weighed the pros and cons of having a mexican placed band and decided that it was the right decision to go ahead and travel for it. I KNOW without a doubt that if I had a serious complication and needed immediate treatment that many of my local Drs. would probably treat me (probably with the "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???" attitude-exactly why I told everyone I was having surgery in San Diego instead of Mexico). I'm only 6 days post op so it's too early to tell if I'll have complications, but so far, so good. Everything is going great, I'm healing without problems, the diet isn't too tough and I haven't needed to contact the Dr. about a thing. Anyway, I hope that this may be of some little bit of help to you- from one nurse to another. best wishes in your journey,

I have yet ANOTHER question. My port site (5 days post op) is firm, bruised, has a bit of a sensation like it's pulling or that something is tight, and when I put my hand flat over it I can feel a bump about the size of a tablespoon that is rounded and kind of firm right under the skin. Is this Normal swelling or should I be worried about something else? (YIKES!) I don't know if it's just implanted kind of shallow??? I do know that I have the new Mini port (not yet FDA approved). Just wondering if I should be concerned. THANKS!

I was banded by Dr. Kuri on 1/13/05. I'm still following his post op diet instructions and on day 18 it lists 2 small hotdogs as a part of a sample meal, but after reading all of these posts NO WAY am I going to eat one. Hey, do they make a Hotdog flavored Jelly belly.... just in case I get a craving...LOL Pati

I know I should post this in the fills section- it just seems that not many people visit there:( here's my question: The closest fill Dr. for me is Dr. Hoekstra in Elkhart, In. Has anyone used him for a fill? If so how much was it? I got his name from Dr. Kuri's office, and I want to set up an appt. for my first fill, just in case he's booked out a month or so in advance. Also, does anyone know if he uses flouro.? Thanks~! Pati

I hear you Brighteyes, I'm 6 days post band and I KNOW what you mean about cooking for others. I've got 4 kids (all under age 10) and cooking for them, then having to sit at the table with them is NOT fun. Last night I blended some chicken soup and strained it and waited until they sat down and ate when they did. That helped a little bit. I'm not as good as you are, I'm not getting enough Water, and my stomach growls at least every 1 1/2 hours after I eat. But here's the most wonderful thought....My 10 year old daughter told me she's been hanging around with few new girls.. and my thought was that I won't have to feel uncomfortable anymore when she has friends over... I won't have to worry soon about whether she will be embarrassed having a "fat" mom. That alone gave me the most exhilirating feeling! WE can do this, every one of us!! Pati

SOrry for the disgusting question, but I was banded two days ago by Dr. Kuri and I feel like I need to have a HUGE burp but can't get it out. Any suggestions on how to relieve this or on what is causing this? My stomach growls constantly so I've been sipping clear liquids all day and night, but these gas bubbles are driving me crazY! thanks , Pati

Oh Boy! LOL So now I discover that this gas is going to be with me for life! My poor hubby, I won't tell him the bad news. I have found as the day goes on today that the warm liquids feel better then the cold stuff with ice. And the gas x seems to help a bit. I just never expected to be this uncomfortable, but I know it will pass. thanks! Pati

Hello all, I'm Pati, I've been reading all of the posts I can for two weeks, and am ready to be banded:) Here's where I need everyone's advice. After checking with my insurance co. and finding out that they will NOT ever cover this procedure, I've decided that I have to go to mexico for my surgery. I've spoken with Sylvia who is (I assume) a rep. for Dr. Kuri. I was very comfortable with everything she said about Dr. Kuri, and would definately consider him to perform my surgery. I am a part time R.N. and mom of 4 small children, so each and every dollar is pinched at our house. I will have to finance the ENTIRE amount. My questions are about who/where is the best place for my dollar to go to. (Hope this makes sense). I am not trying to be a cheapskate, but want the best Dr. with the best package price who is going to do the best job. Can anyone give me advice on this one? Thanks so much! Pati