Loyoyo

I know a gentleman who had gastric bypass with him and he did a perfect job. You might want to inquire with his office what his guidelines are. Also, your insurance is a factor, too, as their requirements could be different from Dr. Juarez. I was banded two weeks ago, not by Dr. Juarez, as I am self-pay, but I am very happy with the results and have lost 8 lbs since the surgery. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Yes, I do think there is something about day 3 post op. I had a little panic attack where I said to myself what the *&%$ did I do? I pulled a stomach muscle getting out of the taxi coming home and that hurt more than the incisions and to top it off, I got my monthly visit from auntie flo, no fun when you can't bend so good! But I am now almost two weeks post op and I feel much better about things. I am still on the liquid diet and look forward to the mushy foods, so I have aways to go, but keep at it and it will get better. Yesterday was like a normal saturday for me -- ran lots of errands and kept busy. Good luck to everyone!

Go for the tomato soup, it will taste like filet mignon (well, maybe). I enjoyed mine the first time I had it.

Hi - I was banded 2/28. These are some good questions you ask! No, I am not on pain meds, anymore. I am one that does not like the way they make me feel. I went back to work yesterday. Am I hungry? Yes, but the Protein shakes do help a bit. I have had creamy tomato soup and that helps, too, that and really, really runny mashed potatoes (actually it looks more like cream of potato soup. I took a shower in the hospital the second day and that feels good. I have one bandage on the incision covering the port, but all my other incisions look great. Two are completely healed already. I haven't ventured to bed yet, but am sleeping on my lazy boy chair, which I did a lot before surgery, so its no big deal. I don't think I could sleep on my side yet. Hope this helps ya!

Yes there is ! Check out Dr. robert Berger. He is in Flagstaff and will do fills with fluoro for $200.

Whew Whew!!! Maumee Ohio is my hometown. I call the southwest my home now, but have fond memories growing up there. Congratulations on your surgery, and your weight loss is awesome. You really will enjoy this website and there is lots of information on here. Take care!!!

There's a company called BeLiteWeight that can help you schedule your surgery through a group in detroit for 11.7K. Or you can go to Mexico and get it done for 8K. You have to make sure that you have a plan for follow up care if you go the Mexico route. Many doctors won't do fills for people who have the lap band in Mexico, but some do. I am not familiar with Cleveland docs, but there are lots of folks on here who have used beliteweight and are happy with them. They are a surgery scheduling service, and all of their patient facilitators have had the lap band themselves (no I do not work for them). I used to live in Euclid, a while ago - born and raised in Toledo. Ohio is a nice place, very pretty. Good luck to you. There definitely are cheaper alternatives out there. Check out wasabubblebutt's entry on how to pick a doctor in Mexico. That is a good start if you are thinking about that. Take care

That is so good to hear. I am using BLW and having my surgery in Juarez this thursday, 2/28. I am glad your experience was so good. Thx, Lora

I think your husband and mine are related -- he says the same things!! LOL

I am down 10 lbs with the pre-op diet, too, isn't that great!!!

I am getting mine done 2/28 with Dr. Rod in Juarez at the Hospital Angeles. PM me if you wish, it would be awesome if I met someone who was there when I was.

Hi - i'm getting banded 2/28 in Juarez by Dr. Rodriguez at Hospital Angeles. The hospital is just a few months old and is supposed to be awesome, from what I have heard. You will find lots and lots of great information on this site. I am nervous, yes, but excited to start this new journey in my life.

Hi - I have heard lots of good things about Dr. Rod, so much that I am using hm next week for my surgery. Beware of others' comments about BeLiteWeight. They are a good organization designed to help people schedule surgery in Mexico. No, I don't work for them, either. My advice for you in general is, if you hear negative comments, find out if they are coming directly from the source, or through someone else. I found lots of first hand positive information about Dr. Rod and beliteweight, but I also found lots of not-first-hand negative comments about beliteweight. So if people get negative on ya, make sure they have the proof to back it up. good luck to you!

Anyway, there has been lots of firsthand posts of wonderful service, and I think that it is good that people who have had that good experience say something about it.

I am a patient of the surgeon, Jose Rodriguez. I won't be put with any other doctor. Joanne is not a doctor, she doesn't have patients. It would be nice if there were some more specifics posted here instead of vague generalities of what is perceived as inferior quality service. Do you have a person any of us can talk to who has had this bad experience, or is this just a negative vibe you have in general about these folks?

Yes, she will.

thanks so much for your great recommendation for Dr. Rod. I have heard so much good about him. Take care

Hi queenie - My surgery is the same price, $8000 for the allergan band.

I will be there three weeks after you. Joanne is my facilitator and I have had nothing but positive things to say abou ther. I am happy to use BeLiteWeight. The price is reasonable and its good to have the contact of someone who has been through it and can tell you what to expect. Good luck to you and my prayers are with you. thx, Loyoyo

thanks so much for your information and words of encouragement! Its good to hear such positive things about BeLiteWeight and Joanne. I e-mailed her two hours ago (in the evening) and she got back to me right away. I have heard the hospital Angeles is like staying at a five star resort. I am looking forward to starting my new life, too. take care!!!

Very inspirational!

This is inspirational!

I am going to have surgery 2/28 in Juarez and am using beliteweight. My facilitator is Joanne. She has been very helpful for me, too. So far using beliteweight has been a very positive experience. To each their own, I suppose, but its good to get a variety of opinions, and that is what this website is for.

Thanks for your post. I am going to Juarez 2/28 to have my surgery done. I have been reading posts on this website and there is so much information. Depending on one's opinion, Juarez is a great place to go or terrible. I am nervous, but its glad to hear good results.

Hi Robin - I live in Mesa, too. I am having the lap band done 2/28. I understand where you are coming from. I have been heavy most of my life, too. This website is really wonderful. You will find a wealth of information from it. My insurance will not pay for the surgery, so I have opted to go to Juarez to the Hospital Angeles to have it done. Its a huge decision, but I have heard so much good about the doctors and the hospitals there that I feel comfortable doing this. I have already found a woman who will do my fills and there are people here in AZ who provide aftercare support. This website is a great support system, too. I hope your insurance will cover your surgery. There's a lot of hoops to jump through, but I know it will be worth it for you. Good luck to you!