Frangipani

Congratulations Donna!!! It won't be long now!!!! And thanks again for giving me encouragement before my surgery -- I am SO glad that I went through with this! Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico 9.75 cm/4cc Inamed Band First Fill (under fluoroscopy) 9/07: 2.4 cc Crazy Ates October Exercise Challenge 9/14 Days of Exercise

Great Job Salsa :cheer2:! Just returned from #9 -- five more to go........... Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico 9.75 cm/4cc Inamed Band First Fill (under fluoroscopy) 9/07: 2.4 cc Next Fill 11/07: Amount TBD Crazy Ates October Exercise Challenge 9/14 Days of Exercise

Hi Texas Becky, Thanks for the encouragement!!!! I am fairly pleased with my weight loss thus far, but yours is amazing -- Congratulations!!! Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico 9.75 cm/4cc Inamed Band First Fill (under fluoroscopy) 9/07: 2.4 cc Next Fill 11/07: Amount TBD Crazy Ates October Exercise Challenge 8/14 Days of Exercise

Hi Crazy Ates, Excellent thread -- and highly motivating!!! I just returned from workout #7 -- I joined the challenge rather late in the month so I will definitely be doing extra workouts to make up for lost time. Have a great week!!! Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico 9.75 cm/4cc Inamed Band First Fill (under fluoroscopy) 9/07: 2.4 cc Next Fill 11/07: Amount TBD Crazy Ates October Exercise Challenge 7/14 Days of Exercise

Congratulations Metal Band!!! And thank you for the inspiration! Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico 9.75 cm/4cc Inamed Band First Fill (under fluoroscopy) 9/07: 2.4 cc Next Fill 11/07: Amount TBD Crazy Ates October Exercise Challenge 6/14 Days of Exercise

Congratulations!!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2: You look stunning!!!! Crazy Ates October Exercise Challenge 4/14 Days of Exercise

Hi Everyone Although I don't post very often, I read this board nearly every day and I have found it to be an invaluable source of information and support. Thank you all :clap2:!!!! I was banded in early August and had my first fill five weeks later (2.4cc in a 4cc band). Even though the process has not been completely easy and painless (I have had approximately 4 minor PB incidents during this "learning time"), I had excellent restriction for the first three weeks and actually felt as if I had come very close to reaching my "sweet spot." During those weeks I lost 13 pounds. Then a few days ago the band seemed to loosen quite suddenly. I still feel some restriction, but not nearly as much as I had before. I am watching what I eat very carefully, but wouldn't be surprised if I was able to eat quite a lot (although I don't plan to test this). I am sooo disappointed at this turn of events, and I want my wonderful restriction back :think! I am being told (and have read elsewhere) that what I am experiencing is quite normal after the first fill, and that subsequent fills (hopefully the second) should be more lasting. I feel reassured by this information, but would still like to have feedback from others. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! ~WT~

Hi Julie, Congratulations on your weight loss and the success of your most recent fill :cheer2:!!! Haizel, good luck with your upcoming fill ! I have managed to lose another two pounds in the past few days, which brings my weight loss up to a total of 4 pounds this week -- so I guess I must be more restricted than I actually feel. Have a wonderful weekend everyone! ~WT~

Hi Julie, I am doing well. Thankfully, I do still have a certain amount of restriction and I am trying to stay on a high protein/low carb diet for now. It definitely isn't as easy as it was during those three blissful weeks of excellent restriction, but it isn't too bad either. That said, I am very much looking forward to my next fill in about 4 more weeks. Thanks for asking -- everything good with you? ~WT~ :thumb:

Hi again Julie and Tonya, :Banane30: ~WT~

Hi Julie and Tonya, Thank you SO much for the feedback. Having this info straight from real, live, experienced bandsters makes me feel 1000% better. I have another quick question for you and/or anyone else who would like to respond: How long on average do your fills seem to last? I did lose another two pounds when I weighed in this morning -- so go figure. Hopefully the weight I have lost will stay off until I can get my second fill early next month. Missy, 62 pounds is excellent!!! Good job -- and best of luck finding a new Doc! Thanks again! :clap2: ~WT~

I was banded less than 24 hours ago and it went SO much better than I ever could have expected. The first half hour in recovery was the worst part b/c the anethesia made me nauseous, but once that passed (with the aid of medication) I was absolutely fine. I was up and walking almost immediately and today I even had the energy and stamina to go shopping at the mall for a few hours!!! I am still in Mexico so I will keep this short. Will post more later. Woo Hoo the the surgery is over!!!! Good luck to everyone else!!!!

Best of luck to all new bandsters this week. I too will be banded this week and will be thinking of all of you!!! Hugs and very best wishes to all! Banding-August 7, 2007 Mexico PS Thanks Loser28 -- I fly out this afternoon and your wonderful post helped to relieve some of the anxiety I was feeling this morning.

I just today made my appointment to be banded on August 7th -- so I guess that makes me an official new member of the Whoo Hoo! I am nervous and excited at the same time!!!

Hi Sherri Jo, Wow! That was a great recommendation and it gives me a real comfort level with Dr. Zapata -- especially considering that you and so many people in your family have been to him. From the pics on the website the hospital facility does look very nice. Thank you so much for your kind offer of additional info/advice, I will probably be taking you up on that very soon. Thanks again! ~WT~

Hello and feedback needed Hi Everyone, This is a wonderful forum with SO much information! I posted this message in the introduction section, but I think I probably should have posted it here instead -- so here goes............. I have made the decision to get the band in Mexico (I think) and have narrowed my choices down to three Docs -- Rumbaut, Ortiz, and Zapata. Zapata is the least expensive of the three. Questions: Any opinions about which of these three I should choose? Are there any other Doctors that I should consider? They say you get what you pay for, but in this case all three Doctors seem excellent -- so is it safe to just go with the least expensive? Thank you so much for your help!

Hi Mari, Thank you very much for the feedback and another option. Dr. Valencia seems to have excellent credentials and I will check into using him as well.