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Don't know if this works, but here are my before and after photos.

Thank you! Yes, I'm very happy with the results and I'm very happy with Dr. Cardenas. Dr. Cardenas teamed up with Dr. Sanchez. You can find information on Dr. Cardenas at www.ready4achange.com.

I had a rhinoplasty (quite obvious, I really needed it) and I had a chin implant. It also helps that I've lost a lot of weight. I had it done in Monterrey, MX with Dr. Cardenas. He was great! I plan to go back sometime next year to have a TT.

Okay, here they are again!

Guess not, sorry!

My doctor left the needle there and and had me stand up also. She had me drink a chalky liquid and took x-rays as the liquid went down my stomach so she could see how tight the restriction was. In the end, my fill was 2.8cc and the x-ray showed a very small (like a knitting needle) opening where the fluid was passing.

I was able to eat everything an anything before I got my first fill! You're supposed to stick to liquids and mushies for the first couple of weeks and I did for the most part but I would occasionally cheat and I found out I could eat everything before I got my fill.

I went to MX for my first fill and they filled me to 2.8cc. I thought that was alot because I always see folks on here getting 1cc or so. It's been VERY difficult to eat, but I can still eat if I take very small bites and chew, chew, chew. I lost 5 pounds this week alone but I think that is only because I'm still trying to get used to the restriction and I become frustrated with how long it takes before I can swallow. I had my first PB episode two days ago (I was being careless) and now I'm scared so I'm eating very slowly.

I am a Human Resources Manager for an aerospace component manufacturer. I am also a full time student, trying to finish MBA and I have one 7 year old boy. I'm lucky to have a wonderful husband that supports me through this very busy period of my life.

I went to Dr. Cardenas in Monterrey, MX. His prices are very reasonable. I paid less than half (including airfare and hotel) than I would have paid here for just the surgery. He's an amazing surgeon, very professional and makes you feel very comfortable. I plan to return sometime next year for TT.

I had plastic surgery in Monterrey the day before I got banded. I had a nose job and a chin implant and I am very happy with the results. It was tough having so many operations in two days, but I don't regret it one bit. I don't know how to post pictures on here or I would send you some before and afters. I must admit, I was very nervous about the results immediately after surgery and up to about a week ago. I kept looking at myself in the mirror and my nose looked crooked and my chin looked much too big. Now I'm starting to see the swelling significantly decrease and I'm very happy with the results.

What is an NSV? Oh, and Congrats on the loss! You must be ecstatic!

Does anyone know of a good fill doctor in Southern California that will accept a Mexico banded patient? I found one in San Bernardino, but he does blind fills <yikes!> and I'm terrified that my band will be poked in the wrong place! I'd appreciate any help, thanks!

My DH and I usually try to get out on the bikes at least once a month. We also like to go to the track so we can ride without car traffic. How many bikes to you own collectively? 2 What kind of bikes, and how big? both are Suzuki bikes, DH as a 1000cc, mine is a 700cc Do you always wear protecive gear? if not, why not? I always wear a full-face helmet, gloves, boots, and riding jacket. I don't always wear riding pants, unless I'm at the track. Have you ever taken a safety class? yes, I took the (MSF) Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Have you every had an serious accident? No, thank God. My brother-in-law is parapeligic (sorry don't know how to spell) because of a motorcycle accident.

$7,900 Monterrey Mexico - Dr. Sanchez www.ready4achange.com

Good luck! My prayers are with you!

No, you don't need one. All you need is a certified copy of your birth certificate and your driver's license. I just came back from Mexico and that's all I used. Good luck!

I take both those meds. I found the Wellbutrin 150mg was too big for me to swallow (it was a generic). I was supposed to be taking two a day but I told my doctor that they were getting stuck so he prescribed Wellbutrin XL 300mg (brand name). I'm supposed to take the 300mg pill once a day and it's MUCH smaller than the 150mg pill. The topamax is a mood stabilizer. I lost my appetite for a few days when I started taking it and I was really sleepy for about two weeks. Now I take the topamax at night and the Wellbutrin XL in the morning and I feel GREAT! Good luck to you.

I get hiccups all the time! Almost every two hours or so... it's awful!

I was just banded on April 1 and I can eat everything and anything without any problems (if I take small bites and chew very thoroughly). I've had soft pieces of chicken and rice, actually anything that my family eats! I've already lost more than 20 pounds and it hasn't even been two weeks! I'm starting to think something is terribly wrong. Oh, and I don't know how to post pictures! My nose and chin are coming along just fine and I have lots of pictures, but don't know how to post them. My computer was down for a few days, sorry for the late response!

Hi everyone! I'm soooooooo happy to be home. I had my nose and chin surgery on the 31st and was banded on the 1st. It's been a tough recovery, but I feel great! Dr. Sanchez and his staff were wonderful! I only got to see the doctor right before surgery, but he was very nice. Dr. Cardenas did my ps and he and his staff were unbelievably attentive. Dr. Cardenas came to check on me in the guest house two times a day, everyday! The guest house is beautiful, but I wouldn't stay there again for a couple of reasons. My sister went with to Monterrey with me and she woke up screaming one night because a roach had crawled into bed with her. I saw a lot of roaches, in the bathroom, in the bedroom. I had a hard time sleeping because I was so anxious that I'd wake up with a roach buddy in bed with me. Dr. Cardenas even offered to give me some valium to help me sleep. I'm a little wierd about bugs, uggh. I asked alma to move me out of the guest house and I chose to stay at the Radisson instead. I had to pay for the room myself, but at least I could sleep on a soft bed, in a roach-free, quiet room. Overall, my experience was wonderful!! I highly recommend Dr. Sanchez and Dr. Cardenas to anyone who is considering ps or a band. The hospital was beautiful and so clean and the nurses were so courteous! I've lost 13 pounds and feel great! I'm so glad I went through with this. My face is still all bruised and swollen, but I'll post some before and after pics once it deflates a little. Sorry for being so gabby, it's great to be home! Thanks for listening! :banana

I'm leaving for Mexico tomorrow! I'm scheduled for nose and chin surgery on Thursday at 9am and banding on Friday at 9am. I'm SOOOOOOOOO excited! :banana :banana :banana I want to say thank you to all of you for being so encouraging, I'm so glad to have such a wonderful resource to turn to. I can't wait to meet you all at the Vegas bash! Vera - I'll see you in Monterrey!

Hey, I'm in Ontario. It's not a five minute drive, but I would love to get together with you once I get back from my banding surgery on April 1. My email address is isa_perard@msn.com.

I'm terribly sorry you're going through this, how awful! I'll keep you in my prayers. We'll be in this one together, I'm going to be visiting Dr. Sanchez at the same time you are! Maybe we'll see each other down there?

How wonderful! I can't wait to get to Mexico, I'd love to see how much thinner I am when I get there! =) Bandster sisters it is!