conniesant

Hi Chuck, It was nice getting together with you and exchanging info. An ABQ support group would wonderful. We all could benefit from it and I know that there are quite a few people who would come. If there is anyone out there who is interested in getting together for a support group e-mail Chuck and we will coordinate the rest. The one meeing we had at the office of Dr Thal was great, so let us know your preferences regarding date, time and suggested place for future support meetings. Dr Thal is still offering her office for the meetings in Coralles if we need it. I have tried to contact Clare, with whom we met that one time, and I have been unable to get in touch with her as she does not have an answering machine on her phone.

Isabell, I too am a lapband orphan! Your message has really hit me. How do I get help? I haven't a clue what to eat or how much and feel very alone. I was banded 6 months ago and after my second fill I went two months throwing up then had to have an unfill. I now think that I need another unfill because the band feels tighter and I'm throwning up again. My surgeon is in another city and I have to fly there for anything I need done. I really feel out in left field with this whole process.

Hi Marian, How did your first fill go? The first support meeting in Corrales went very well. Send me an e-mail and perhaps we can meet for coffee and I'll tell you all about it. There were ten of us bandsters there and I feel that it will be a really wonderful support group once we decide on the day of the week for our future meetings. conniesant@comcast.net

Hi NM Thin, I also live in the far NE Heights around Tramway and Paseo. I was not aware of the support group that meets bimonthly at the Northside Pres complex. I too am happy with my choice of the LapBand and am looking forward to finding a support group for just Lapbanders. Too bad that you cannot come the meeting in Corrales tonight. It will be wonderful to get someone here locally to do fills if the price is right. I got my band in PHX at WLIAZ from Drs. Orris/Debarros on 2/15/08. I have lost 37 pounds and have had two fills. This last one is a bit tight and if I am not very careful I can still get things stuck almost 6 weeks after that fill. Good luck with your first fill.

Hi all, there is a support meeting tonight 6/26/08 in Corrales at the office of Dr Alyson Thal. We will be meeting a 6:30pm - 8:00 pm. I understand that Dr Thal is certified to do fills and this is the first meeting to hopefully start an ABQ support group. The address is 3841 Corrales Rd, Corrales 792-3065. Hope that some of you can make the meeting.

Melanie, The support group will be at the office of Dr. Alyson Thal, 3841 Corrales Rd, Corrales Ph792-3065. I spoke with Rose and she had called the office and they confirmed the meeting. Hope that you can make it.

Hi Dave, I spoke with Clare yesterday and I too will attend the meeting on June 26th. We are meeting at Dr. Thal's office and Clare tells me that Dr. Allyson Thal has been trained to give fills. Don't have any particulars on that yet but we should get more info on it on the 26th. See you there.

Hi Carol, I too went to WLIAZ for my surgery in Feburary. I also have United Health Care. Like Melanie said, Dr Orris is a network provider and Dr Debarros is not. They both do the surgery, you have no choice. Double check with your insurance and see how much it will be if you use them. I had to pay over 7K out of pocket for them and then another 2K for the hospital and I am still getting bills. The staff at WLIAZ couldn't be nicer and I was very satisfied with Dr Orris but there is the issue of coverage that you should consider with your type of insurance. Hope this helps. 5/13/08

Melanie, Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Two of us met Sat 5/3/08 at UNM. The other person was Dave (dlsparks88) who has been banded for quite some time. Our meeting was very informative and a great help to me. It seems like you have more restrictions in you life so let me know when it is convienent for you, I'll meet you any time for a little support! I also have United Health Care and had I know at the onset about their coverage I probably would have gone to another doctor because UHC didn't cover Dr. Debarros. I am sure we ended up paying more out of pocket as a result. Having said that, I was really happy with WLIAZ and their staff. I am leaving this Friday 5/16 for my second fill and I am really looking forward to more restriction. 5/13/08

Melanie, I haven't heard from anybody else so it might be just you and me! I'll be there at 2pm today. 5/03/08

Melanie, It is wonderful to know that the second fill makes such a difference! I will be going on 5/16 for my second fill but for right now I don't feel much restriction. I cannot believe how much weight you have lost already! Did you lose all that with the band? What do you think about the meeting for us ABQ bandsters? Can you make it on Sat. 5/3 in front of the Frontier Restaurant? I was thinking about going. dlsparks88 is organizing it. 5/01/08

I can make this Saturday 5/3/08 in front of the Frontier Restaurant! @2pm is perfect. e-mail me if anything changes.

Yes, a support group in ABQ would be great! I was banded 2/15/08 in Phoenix, Drs. Orris and De Barrows. I have had one fill about 3 weeks ago. 4/20/08

I was banded 2/15/08 and had my 1st fill three weeks ago. I was doing fine until last week when I had 3 episodes with food getting stuck! I was scared to death! The first one was really bad and I had been eating an orange that time. I Threw up twice and I was afraid to eat anything the rest of the day. I had to sign on and look around this Forum to figure out what had just happened. Since the first episode I have had two other ones that were just as painful and scary. Both occured when I was eating either a sandwich or some other form of bread. I guess I really need to know if once you have a PB if you are more susceptible to getting food stuck? My chest pain lasted for hours after the food had passed, I almost felt like my esophagus was in a spasm for hours afterward as well. Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. 4/20/08

Tom, You will find that your pre-op diet will help you post-op stay on track with the pitiful little you get to eat. You aren't going to want to eat more because once the weight starts coming off it will be one of the motivational tools that helps you stick to your Dr's eating plan. I was banded 2/15/08 and have lost 18 pounds the first month! It's not going to come off that fast next monts but at least I'll never have to lose that same weight again. Good luck tomorrow, my friend, you're going to do it! Blessings,

Hi Jean, I am also from NM, just banded 2/15 in PHX. I feel a bit out in left field due to so far away from surgeons. Guess there are no support groups here in NM as of yet. Perhaps we should start one? I go in for my post-op appointment this friday in PHX 2/29. My doctor was Michael Orris at WLIAZ in Tempe. When did you get your first fill? I also live in ABQ.

Tina, Thanks for the encouraging words. I guess that if you follow the eating plan to the letter there is little concern for the PB"S. Us newbys really need to hear what you experienced bandsters have to say. Connie

Oh gosh, I am getting really worried about these PB's. What does PB stand for anyway? I was banded on 2/15 and now I am going to be afraid to eat!

I had similar concerns before my surgery 2/15 and I took my pills to my pre-op appointment with my surgeon and he told me I could take all of them one at a time right after surgery! They are really small and he said not to worry that I could tollerate them. I was shocked. I was really concerned about a capsule I had to take and the literature for that med specifically said not to open it up and put it into liquid. I have had no trouble taking them since surgery by following his advice. None of mine is a horse pill however!

I too was banded on 2/15 in Arizona. I live in NM and feel a bit alone and disconnected out here away from my surgeon. All of your kind words to Lesly have also encouraged me greatly. I was glad to hear that the pain that I am experiencing in my back and shoulders is normal and from the surgery. Thanks again, Connie Insurance approved 12/30 Banded 02/15 Surgeons Drs. Orris/De Barrows