LoisinStA

I have been going to Altamonte Springs, FL ( just outside Orlando) to Dr. Beltre - he is wonderful. I have also sent other folks there who also love him - we have all been banded in Mexico. I am going back to him on Tuesday - for my third fill. He is knoweldgeable, personable and easy to get in to see. It takes 1 1/2 hours to get there from St. Augustine. If you want any additional info about him, feel free to PM me and I will share whatever I know. I highly recommend him.

I need some advice. I got my second fill on May 15th for a total of 2.25 cm in a 10 cm band. At first I felt the restriction and things were going ok. After about a week, I noticed I was eating larger portions and was getting very hungry after only 3-4 hours. About 4 hours after lunch I am ready to eat my arm with my stomach growling like a lion. I think that if I get a small fill I will get to that point of eating less and not being starving so quickly. What do you think????? Oh, BTW, I haven't lost any weight in the past 1 1/2 weeks and my snacking has increased (which is why I am sure I haven't lost any weight). Thanks.....

I had my surgery in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. Zapata in April. The doctor and his anesthesiologist were very professional. The surgery was done on MOnday morning, he came by to see me in the hospital that evening and again the following morning before my discharge. During his visits, he answered all my questions and added additional information that he thought I needed to know. The hospital was clean and my care was impeccable. I would do it again in a minute. The most impressive part came after I got home. I developed a bad case of diaahrea. I called his US facilitator and she told me to call the doctor directly. I had his cell phone number so I called. I left a brief message and within 5 minutes he called back and told me what to do. I don't know, but when I call my doctor's office here in the states, it sometimes takes over 24 hours for a call back.

I am sorry you had such a bad experience. I had a fabulous experience in Mexico with Dr. Zapata. The hospital was as clean or cleaner than any I have seen here in the US. I would go back there in a minute and recommend him to all.

I emailed the doctor in St. Augustine and they do NOT work with folks who have been banded out of the country.

I too was banded by Dr. Zapata - isn't he wonderful. A few days after I got back I had terrible diarrhea also. We called him, he called back within 5 minutes and told us to eat yogurt with active cultures. He said that he thought it was the antibiotic that we were given - it destroyed the balance of bacteria in the stomach. It helped.

I went yesterday for my 2nd fill and it was great - he used something to numb me first and then found the port pretty quickly - I didn't feel a thing. What a difference from the first time. :thumbup:

Are these doctors who will do fills for Mexico banded patients as well. I am particularly interested in St. Augustine...I am currently traveling to Altamonte Springs for fills (1 1/2 hours).

I had my first fill last Tuesday - have to drive 1 1/2 hours to get it done since I was banded in Mexico and no local doctors will take care of me. With no anesthesia, it took a few good pokes and prods before the port was found. I was filled with 1.5 cc. After a week, no weight loss, intense hunger I made an appt. for tomorrow for another fill. I developed a huge hematoma after the first fill and still have an egg size lump that sticks out of my stomach. It feels hard and now I worry that my port moved, or scar tissue is surrounding it, etc. - all the things that I have just read about. I will discuss all of this with the doctor tomorrow. I must say I am nervous - it was pretty painful last time...hope it won't be so bad this time. Going through the pain and then not losing any weight was not fun....

I had my first fill on Tuesday. The doctor did it without xray and it took 3 pricks for him to find my port. The fill was successful but I have developed a significant lump and bruise at the site of the final prick. Has anyone else had this and how long does it take for the lump to go down...or away. It is also very tender.

Thanks for your answers...I guess I just have to be patient.

I am going to Dr. Beltre in Altamonte Springs - near Orlando. $500 for initial consultation and fill and $100 for each afterwards. I live in St. Augustine - it should take a little over an hour for me to get there. I am going there on Tuesday for my first fill.

I am here...now at 4 weeks post op - lost 20 pounds, feeling pretty good although I am still a little sore and lumpy where my port is. Just set up appt for my first fill next Tuesday. I'm a little nervous about one thing - how am I going to get my pills down once I am restricted. I am ok doing them now, but with restriction, I don't know. I guess I will be asking the doc about it. H Hope all of you guys are good and feeling well.

the doctor I found outside of Orlando who will do fills on patients who were banded in Mexico is Dr. Beltre. I am going down there next week for my first fill. The first time you see him the cost of the consultation and fill is $500 and then any additional adjustment is only $100. He is located in Altamonte Springs.

I was also banded on April 9th in Mexico by Dr. Zapata - fabulous experience - never treated better by medical professionals. My trip home was pretty bad also because of American Airlines cancelling flights - took me 11 hours to get back to Florida. I am still pretty bloated but alot less than earlier in the week. Gas pains are pretty intense. I must say that I am still pretty sore where the port is but my bruising is getting better. I am very lumpy in the abdomen so it should be interesting finding something to wear to work tomorrow...I look like I have the alien trying to escape from my stomach!!:} lol.

No you don't go back there for fills...they help you find a fill center near where you live. I live in St. Augustine, FL and found a DR who will take care of me outside of Orlando which is about 1.5 hours away. The experience was fabulous. When we got home, my sister called her doctor here in the states for help with re-adjusting her insulin and they didn't call her back for 36 hours. We called the surgeon in Mexico to ask him a question and he called back in 5 minutes. That certainly speaks volumes to me!

I am here...just got back from Mexico where I was banded on Monday. Still pretty sore..looking forward to the next phase. Clear liquids get old..hope to hit the full liquids once I hit the Publix. Would love to hear how others made it through the first couple of weeks.

I had my surgery on Monday and have been living on clear liquids. I am having a problem with diarrhea (sorry, couldn't think of a better word). Anyone else having or had this problem and any advise? I haven't started with full liquids yet and am afraid to do it because of the problem I am having with clear liquids.

Thanks for your adivice...it makes sense. I was afraid to go to full liquids but I will give it a shot.

I had my surgery on MOnday in Mexico and flew back to Jacksonville, FL on Wed. My American Airlines flights were cancelled so it took me over 12 hours to get home. I took pain pills as prescribed and did just fine.

Yes, that is where your port is - on the left side. I got banded on Monday also.

which doctor did you use in Mexico...I leave on Sunday for Monterrey for surgery with Dr. Zapata. I am planning on going to Orlando area to see Dr. Beltre - he will work with Mexico banded patients and his prices are reasonable.

I guess I am the only one not yet banded..I head for Mexico on April 6th. For the new folks - although I am diabetic with uncontrolled blood sugars, have high blood pressure and need to lose 50 pounds, my insurance company will not pay for any weight loss surgery. I guess they would rather charge me $500 month for a $5000 deductible and pay for all of the problems I will having in the future as a result of this. So shortsighted and ignorant. Anyway, since I have to self pay and I am a realtor (we all know what the market is like now) I am going to Mexico to have my surgery - $7000 vs $18-25,000 here in the states. Can't wait to meet ya'll. Any evening except Thursday - I am addicted to Survivor and Lost.

Who did your surgery and do you know if they are still accepting patients who have had theirs done in Mexico? It would seem to me that they have nothing to lose by doing fills - extra money in their pockets.

So funny you mention diet coke - my biggest concern about this surgery is having to give them up - I live on them and am trying to wean myself now in advance for my surgery on April 7th. I will miss them probably more than anything else I eat.