Donna Q.

Alicia, Wanted to let you know we are having a pot luck bandster lunch in Citrus Heights next Sunday the 27th. E-mail me at justjunquies@yahoo.com and I will give you the info or you can go to Sacramento_Valley_Bandsters@yahoogroups.com I sure you are getting very excited!! Donna Q.

Hi Jennifer, There is a large support group @ Good Samaritan Hospital , Dana Schroeder runs it and she is bypass and her daughter is banded, it is a very large group. You also may want to try BayBandsters@yahoogroups.com someone there may know the times of the meetings. I hope you can find a support group!!!I think it is very important to have face to face contact. Best wishes, Donna

Hi , I am from the sacramento area also ( Citrus Heights) and I was banded @ Stanford in 05 , I am now a patient of Koura ( thank God) , I really like him and his staff. We also have an online , small support group called Sacramento_Valley_Bandsters@yahoogroups.com we usually meet once a month for a visit, we have about 70 or so online and we are from all different doctors . I am not used to LBT board and really don't know how to use it very well , I am hoping it becomes easier!!! I am used to Obesity Help or the format on Yahoo........Hope I can figure this site out!! Donna

Hey Karen , THAT'S AWSESOME!!!! Good for you , you won't regret it!! and if that group doesnt suit YOU ...find another , find 2 or 3....you are worth it, who know maybe you will find a friend to go to Seatle bash with or Dr. Kuri's bash in Mexico. I actually have been 2 years to Kuri's bash , haven't made it to Seatle bash yet , Canadian bash sounds great also. I'm so happy you are willing to take a chance!!! Donna Q.

Karen, I felt the same way as you about being an outsider but I was pleasantly surprised how supportive other bandsters are!! One of the bigest groups in the area is from one doc , but MANY people are from other hospitals and Mexico. The group we have formed here that is just banding patients has grown from 5 to 30 from docs all over the world.( by word of mouth , internet ) When I go for fill at Stanford 4 hours away I stay most of the day so I can meet the other banding patients and we exchange e-mails and keep in touch , we have even made our own yahoo group.We all need support , this journey can be so frustrating!!!! I am coming up on my 2 year anniversary and there have been times that I have been very discouraged , over all the band has been a blessing and I swear they will have to take it out of me kicking and screaming!!!!! Donna Q.

Denise, Check with the bay bandster at Yahoo to see if they know of more in face groups besides the San Jose group , I bet they do , I think they try to get together once a month for lunch or walk etc... maybe that will count. Alo Kaiser may have a group , especially if they require participation in one. VERY exciting times for you!!! Karen: I would call all the WLsurgeons in Ventura or surounding areas and see if they offer banding support , also go to all the yahoo banding groups and ask there . Try Dr. Helmuth Billy , see if he has a group. Good luck!! there has to be tons of bandsters in a large area like that!!! Donna Q.

Hi Denise, I saw your post and wanted to let you know about a few groups in your area. In person support( banding) is at Good Sam Hospital in SJ and it is led by Dana Shroeder , she has bypass and her daughter is banded and she is VERY good , the group is on the large side and pre ops are very welcome. Also e-groups are SantaCruzwls@yahoogroups.com has both bypass and banding and BayBandsters@yahoogroups.com I know several bandsters from your area , I was banded at Stanford on 05 , even though I live in Sacramento area. Where will your surgery be? Best wishes!!! Donna Q.

Hi, Can you e-mail me the info on Dr. Billy i.e. phone and address? I have a friend here in Sacramento who is looking for a fill doc. Thank you, Donna

Kathy, Just to let you know we are having a sacramento valley bandster lunch this saturday june 10th at noon...potluck...we have a fun group and several of Machado's patients . E-mail me privately for the address. Donna Q. justjunquies@yahoo.com

We have a Sacramento support group lunch this Saturday June 10 in Citrus heights...it is a pot luck , if you are interested e-mail me privately, we have a fun group sometimes we have 4 people sometimes 20 ...we never know. Dixon isn't too far... Donna Q. 2/2/05 justjunquies@yahoo.com

Yes Mashado is in Carmichael , Fair Oaks is the next street over. You do take I-80 to Greenback/Elkhorn Blvd. I live less than a mile from her office , yet I have to drive 3 hours to Stanford to see my doc. I am at a high fill level , but if I was starting over I would switch to her and self pay. Last I checked she was expensive because she does the first fill under flouro ( if she hasn't placed your band) and charges 300? an office visit...not sure , it was over a year ago that I called her office. We have several people in our Sacramento group that go to her , and love her. Dr. Kuri is haveing his Bandster Bash at the end of August in Tijuana and does fill under flouro for 95. I haven't been active much on this board , and am looking forward to getting to know the northern California group. Blessings, Donna Q. -70 from surgery -115 from highest

As far as I know Dr.Billy is in truckee once a month , also Dr. Cirangle comes to Sac once a month from SF. Dr. Laura Machado is on Coyle Ave. in Fair Oaks and take other docs patients . I am in Lake county in Lakeport for 2 weeks and am here in Lakeport for a lot of the summer. I live in the Sacramento area and we have a wonderful bandster group that gets together once a month , let me know if you want more info about our group. Also maybe we could get together when I am in Lake County...let me know. Donna Q. 2/2/05

Hi I was banded by John Morton at Stanford,He is skilled but the after care is poor I agree with Vera, Mckeen at good samaritans has a WONDERFUL reputation and GOOD after care, that is soooo important.Also the in person support group is very good. Donna Q 2/2/05 -55 ish and loosing

shrina, I'm in sacramento and was banded at Stanford. There are many groups all over, baybandsters,SantaCruzbandsters, sacramento valley bandsters they all are @ yahoogroups. Some large in person support groups also. We really are here!! Donna Q. 2/2/05 -55ish and loosing!!

Teresa, I am new here so bear with me. You are in a VERY frustrating stage in your banding journey. My advise would be to stay away from the scale , now really isn't the time to loose bunches of weight,it's a time to heal.Sorry if it's not a fun answer. Does your doc make you attend a class before every fill? I have never heard of that before. I know there is a doc here in Sacramento that makes you come in twice,once for consult and then you can have your fill the next week,seems like a big wast of time to me. I do love my band but the first few months were more maddening than I ever imagined it would be. Hang in there...we are not in a race. Good luck, Donna Q. 2/2/05 -55 so far