lightnerbride

If anyone is wanting details on my experience I am still more than happy to share everything. I did great having my band replaced there despite it being my 6th abdominal surgery and I recommend Dr. Covarrubias and Bajanor Obesity Clinic. I know some people are still curious about there and my old posts I'm sure are in archives but feel free to PM me. April

I had the same surgeon and can't remember how to spell his name either! But he was great top notch and Dr. Miguel assited him and he is just a great doc. As far as Olga I agree she has her attitude problems but I didn't need much of her help. The night nurse was the one who had to help me the most (1 time for the bathroom and 1 time for pain meds) and she was so sweet and at my every beck and call, if I even stirred in bed she was at my side to see if I needed anything. I did so well that I didn't need a bell for anything. I was up at 8am walking around, taking a shower, etc. I agree Dr. Carlos can get a bit flighty (he was late getting me to the airport for check in but there was no line and I just walked right onto my flight with no waiting) I emailed Dr. Carlos with probably 100 questions before going there and he answered every email very promptly. I also kept afirming and reaffirming all the details with him since they made up a seperate package deal for me, the mid-band, hotel, but no airfare. The Hotel Lucerna is so beautiful! As far as plastic surgery through Bajanor I have no experience except to assure anyone going that it is a seperate surgical team that comes in to do the plastic surgery. The doctor who placed my band did that as his specialty only, but my little scars healed up nicely. I'm glad that despite all my previous abdominal surgeries that they were able to do laporscopic surgery but I didn't have any liver issues (and I didn't do any pre-op diet except for the 12 hour fasting period.) Good Luck to all on your journeys!

Dr. Rumbaut is suppose to be a good one to go to. I know Dr. Zapata is like a guru, absolutely considered one of the best. Dr. Ortiz is highly regarded. It was cheaper for me to go to TJ so I picked Bajanor clinic and not including airfare it was $6,800 (I have a mid-band and love it) I was picked up by Dr. Carlos and he definetly did not expect a tip for the ride from and to the airport in San Diego. The first night I stayed in the Clinic/Hospital so no cost. The second night at beautiful Hotel Lucerna (or something like that) but the room was included in my total package. I had to tip the guy who took my bag to my room ($3 is good on average), then each time I ordered room service a tip was needed ($3 or so), my room had a coffee pot in it and 2 bottled waters complimentary which I used to make my own hot tea at night since I brought tea bags with me (soothing after surgery.) I'd also bought a couple of bottles of water when I got to the airport in San Diego and put them in my bag so I had them on hand too. I think I spent about $30 on soup, jello, beverages at the hotel. I didn't feel up to going shopping or out to do anything. I just watched TV (about 7 channels of English), slept, read, and all round took it easy.

Doesn't insurance suck! They would only cover to have mine removed not even to have it just repositioned. I ended up going to TJ, Mexico to have my second one put in. It sounds like you need to see how much the surgeon would charge you for the extra time, anesthesia, etc to just slip the new band in. The surgeon may be willing to do it if you pay for the time difference that adding a band would take. It's not only the surgeons time though, usually the surgical room, the surgical nurses, the anesthesiologist and so on. That being said I'd bring up to your surgeon that it should only take about 15 minutes to put the band on and secure the port. You'll already be preped for surgery, under anesthesia, cut open and so it's just one more small step to add in the band and then finish up just like he'd have to do anyway. It doesn't hurt to ask! Best of luck to you!

Hi, I had my second band done at Bajanor and Dr. Miguel Alessandri was one of my surgeons. If anyone ever has any questions about there feel free to contact me. I was a difficult case and they were able to place my second band laporscopically with no problems or complications. I'd already had a peniculectomy (sp?), several laporscopics for endometrosis, lap-band placed, gallbladder removed 1st attempt laporscopic 2nd open (so double the scaring), and a lap-band removal. My stomach is like all scar tissue so many doctors in TJ didn't want to even consider doing surgery laporscopic band placement on me without charging extra. At Bajanor they were only going to charge $500 more if they ended up going open which I'm happy to say they didn't have to. I feel confident recommending Bajanor but if I hadn't gone there it would have been Dr. Ortiz. His practice is well known, he's a great surgeon, a bit more modern facilities but a little more of a factory feel to it from what I've heard. Good luck to all who make this journey!

I've been banded since 2002 (had a slippage in 2005 and then rebanded in 2006) during all this time I made it clear that I was planning on having children in the future and I was told there would be no reason the band should slip during pregnancy unless you have heavy "morning" sickness that is putting a lot of pressure on the band. They recommend removing the fluid from your band during pregnancy just to reduce the chance of vomitting enough to cause it to slip and to also make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need while pregnant. I'm going to officially start trying to get pregnant this June and don't plan to do anything about my band unless I have heavy "morning" sickness.

Charissa, I'll be thinking of you and I'm sure all will go well! Are you staying at Hotel Lucerna? They've got computers just for emailing in the front lobby. Best Wishes, April

Charissa, Hope all is going well assuming today was still your surgery date. Let us know how you are doing! Best Wishes, April

One of you might consider starting a new thread that asks for Bajanor patients to respond. I know I am not the only one here that was happily banded there. You might look up my old postings and others in the archives too to help you find all the info needed. Dr. Carlos is not one of the surgeon but his brother Dr. Miguel is and he is not Inamed certified, however, Dr. Covarrubias is and if you are getting the Inamed and even if not he will most likely be your primary surgeon. Dr. Covarrubias was my primary surgeon but Dr. Miguel assisted and I got a mid-band. Good Luck to all, April

Had to have mine out about three years after banding. The story is a bit scary in that it is what is most likely what lead to my band slipping, me gaining back 77lbs, having to be rebanded and still needing to lose 60lbs to get back to goal. I started having problems they associate with my gallbladder due to the weightloss. I had to have it out two days before Christmas and the normal staff surgeons in my small town where out on vacation. The fill in surgeon was suppose to be plenty qualified although he was clueless about what lap-bands were, so my mom brought in my x-rays from right after being banded that I was given for my records. Well I went into surgery, thinking it would all be done laporscopically and came out with a 5inch scar, a 10inch scar, and two different types of drainage tubings. He had trouble because I'd had previous abdominal surgery including lipo, etc and couldn't seem to handle the scar tissue and adhesions. He cut completely through my bile duct and had to sew that all back together and put in a drainage tubing like they use to do back in the 1960's! Then he went to open surgery, where I guess he had to move around my liver and some intestines during which the band must have been bumped loose of it's sutures. He removed the gallbladder, closed me up and put in the usual drainage tube. Well I had no fluid in my band (had it removed when I started feeling sick alot but wasn't sure if it was the gallbladder or something else) and I just couldn't handle much food. I got full real quick and sometimes liquid type things wouldn't sit right. I started vomiting and then almost instantly after that started I couldn't even keep fluids down some days, others I could handle little bits of water. Then it was nothing went down and I was hospitalized for dehydration and an x-ray showed that my band was resting on my esophagus and depending how it layed made a difference if I could take in fluids or not. My insurance wouldn't cover a cent if my hospitalization or anything showed my problems where bariatric related, so no hope to have it just repositioned. I had to have it removed. Then I waited to heal and knew I had to get rebanded because the weight was coming back on. I had lost 120lbs in less than a year with my first band and had maintained it for two years. I didn't want to end up back at my starting point. I was rebanded 4/3/06. I go tomorrow for my second fill. I hope the weightloss speeds up but with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Sleep Apnea, hypothyroid, etc things are more difficult this time around. Then my mother-in-law just got out of ICU yesterday from having brain surgery on 2 anuerisms and having a stroke following the procedure. She's still in the hospital and needing lots of help (hopefully going to a rehabilitation center soon) and then there is alot up in the air about her moving home alone. My father-in-law passed away four months ago. I am a big stress eater so hopefully the next fill will stop me in my tracks and the weightloss will speed up. Oh, yikes this was about gallbladders!!! April Dr. Frering 10/02 Dr. Covarrubias 4/06

I'm just wondering what everyone is taking for vitamins and supplements or what your doctors are recommending. My surgeon from Mexico recommended Bariatric Advantage Vitamins and protein supplements daily, calcium 1000-1200mg, B-12 sublingual daily or 1000mcg injection monthly, and Iron. Then my aftercare doc recommends VITA4LIFE bariatric vitamin supplement in the pink wrapper, calcium citrate 3500-4500mg, 90-120 protein supplementation. He seemed okay with the orange flavored liquid GNC brand multi-vitamin I've been taking but I recently changed to orange flavored chewable Centrum. I'm not sure how they all compare. I'm 2 months post-op and only doing the multi-vitamin. I've got Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hypothyroidism, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Sleep Apnea, etc. so I think I should probably be taking the vitamins, minerals and other supplements more seriously and would love imput. I've had my first fill and have pretty good restriction so find myself slipping in and out of soft food syndrome and not putting protein first when it comes to my eating. I'm reading Atkins right now and plan to do my doctors plan that he calls Foxkins and it will up my protein intake greatly and weight loss (he says average of 15lbs a month!) It's like Atkins minus salads. Thanks, April

Okay my ticker information is incorrect, now I've got to figure out how to change it. My starting weight is 277, I'm at 243.5, and my goal is 180. Also got to figure out how to get that other information incorporated! Thanks, April

What to see if my ticker works!

Jenn28, Thank you so much for being so motivational. I guess I have done pretty good considering my huge amounts of medical problems making washing the dishes or doing some laundry a full work out for me! I dream of being able to walk 10-15 minutes everyday until I can finally meet the goal of 30 minutes a day. The horrible thing about my medical problems is they are what are considered "Invisible diseases" I look pretty normal to everyone so they assume I must be okay. That is making my fight for SS disability all the harder. But you've given me a good reason to smile today, Thanks! April:) Oh, NewSho I so relate to the clothing issues, I love fashion even though I can't afford the designer labels I'd like to be wearing even when at goal, but at least when a size 10/12 then I can go in and find something cute that fits and looks good even at Old Navy and occasionally make it to the GAP and Macy's. It seems like when I'm so overweight the only real enjoyment I get is out of my handbags! I love my one new Juicy Couture daydreamer handbag. Then I've got two that I picked out used from ebay for Christmas and a Birthday that I love too. I'm young at heart so I love their bright colors. If I could afford it I'd get into designer sunglasses while still trying to loose weight! Great to meet everyone! I remember when the thirtysomething show was on and I was in H.S. I think? I for some reason always liked that show so the title of this thread got me interested immediately. The first time I didn't dread to have to admit I was in my 30's! I'll donate some TP for the twentysomething group TPing but not sure I have the energy to help out!!!:notagree Best Wishes to All, April (got to get my ticker going!) 298/277/243.5/180 highest/banding/now/future

Still wondering what the flax seed oil is good for? I have another question about protein powders, has anyone used Nectar Protein supplement, it's suppose to be a high quality whey protein and comes in 7 delicious sounding flavors like lemonade, apple ectasy, fuzzy navel, caribbean cooler, strawberry Kiwi, Lemon tea and I can't remember the last one. I figured with these I could use ice, diet sprite and the powder in a blender and it would taste pretty good without any fresh fruits (I heard the protein powder mix, with diet sprite and ice idea from someone on the bandsters forum-carbonation isn't an issue by time it's all blended) I could even add more flavor by using diet orange soda at times, or maybe using sugar-free italian soda flavoring. Love getting back any input. Thanks! April

Jenn, I was banded the same day and now I feel I need a real kick in the *$# to get my weightloss going, I'm only down 22lbs, and I've already had a 2cc fill plus .5cc for the dead space in the tubing in my 4cc band. I lost a lot quicker with my first band. I was trying to blame it on being older (guess that doesn't fly now, you're only six months younger than me) so I've got to blame it on my own lack of dedication and health now! Nice to meet you all, I'm counting on you to help hold me accountable! April 298/277/245/180 weight at first banding/weight at second banding/current weight/my goal weight OOPS ! I'VE ACTUALLY LOST 32lbs, I FEEL BETTER NOW , BUT STILL WOULDN'T MIND A LITTLE HELP STAYING ON TRACK! THANKS:clap2:

Bobby, What flavor is the One Source Ultra Liquid vitamin? I don't usually do shakes but I need to up my protein so I may start doing high protein ones, my only problem is my doctor wants to follow a diet similar to Atkins that doesn't allow fruits and veggies. I'm just not sure how to make something decent tasting without some fruit. Do you prefer whey protein over soy for any certain reason? The sillium fiber, is it good for regularity? Why do take flax seed oil? Thanks for your help, April

Congratulations and welcome! Keep us all updated on how you are doing...it'll help motivate me! Best Wishes, April

Susan, are there any specific brands you use and how do they taste? Do you worry about the calories in them? I like the centrum chewable in orange but the GNC liquid orange multi-vitamin is too strong. Thanks, April

Hi, First of all Rick Springfield broke my heart when I was in 6th grade. My parents got me and a friend tickets to see him in Seattle but he canceled due to throat issues and then after that stopped doing major touring and always went to places where you had to be at least 21. I did get to see him at a small club about 5 years ago and he looked hot! My name is April and I'm 33, was just married for the first time this last October. We don't have children just a house full of animals, his cat, my poodle, and my 7 cats. Yikes, I know but I was a lic. Vet Tech for many years with a soft heart and took in too many cats who needed a loving home after my family and freind were maxed out on pets. I couldn't imagine life without them though! I left the business because of being overworked for minimal pay and went to being a Social Worker at Nursing homes, I loved that too and didn't worry about bringing home any stray patients:) My husband is a delivery driver and I am working on getting Social Security Disablity as I haven't been able to work since 5/01. I have several bulging and degenerating discs in my low back, severe Fibromylagia, severe Chronic Fatigue syndrome, on and off relapses of Reflex Symapthetic Dystrophy (which I spent from age 9-14 suffering continously from with no diagnosis which is when I learned my awful eating habits,) Sleep Apnea, generalize anxiety, depression etc. I'm desperately awaiting my hearing with SS as I finally hired a lawyer about 6 months ago and she thinks I've got a slam dunk and she only gets paid if I win! We need the extra income as we barely make ends meet on my husbands income! We were going to start trying for a family this spring but with the surgery we have to put it off to late-spring or summer of next year. My husband is 34 so we both are feeling our biological clocks ticking and the fact I have endometriosis gives me a bit of worry. I was first banded 10/02 at the age of 29 by Dr. Frering in Lyon, France (very well know in France and one of the creators of the mid-band.) It was a wonderful experience and I was up touring Paris 48 hours post surgery. I lost 120lbs in less than a year and maintained it for over two years, I was in bandster bliss! I met my husband 6 months post-op and had lost almost all of my weight already and by three months after that I was at goal wearing junior 13 Levi's. Well, my gallbladder went bad, nothing unusual for those of us that loose a lot of weight, but it was 2 days before Christmas, the staff surgeons were on Vacation and the fill in surgeon knew nothing about the lap-band so I gave him my x-rays from Dr. Frering to at least give him an idea of where it was located. He thought he could do it laporscopically but cut clear through my bile duct and had to make a 5 inch incision to close it up and placed an old fashion drainage tube in that left a two inch scar and then went to open surgery (10 inch scar) to remove my gallbladder and it seems somehow he must of bumped my band loose from the suturing during the process. (Not able to prove so no money to help get rebanded but they only conclusion four bariatric surgeons could really attribute the slippage to especailly since the band usually slips back making your pouch larger not forward) Over the next six months even without fluid in it I was vomiting non-stop to just about anything I ate and gradually gaining weight, by time I had it removed it had slipped completely forward and was sitting on my esophagus so somedays I couldn't even get water down. I had to have it removed because if I had it repositioned or was touched by a bariatric surgeon my insurance wouldn't cover a cent of the over $30,000 in multiple hospitalization fees, doctors fees, surgery costs, etc. So by my wedding the dress I ordered was too small and I had to have the back altered to tie up the back and I was up about 50lbs. So much for being slim for my wedding! Afterwards I continued to gain until I was 77lbs up. I was so devestated and I just kept staring at the size 10/12 clothes in my closet. I applied for a third credit card and got approved for one at 26.9% (ouch) but told my husband I had to be reband. I'd have loved to go back to France but airfare prices are up, the eurodollar is worth more than the american dollar so the surgery and pre-op testing would have been around $7,400 American and then I'd still have all the hotel costs (must stay in France 5 days post-op for precautionary) and who can go to France and not shop! I couldn't find any details on getting banded in Canada (I live about 2 hours south of Vancouver, B.C.) So I did all my research on Mexico and made sure since this was going to be my 6th abdominal surgery that I went somewhere with qualified surgeons to do laporscopically but I also gave permission for open placement if needed. They didn't ask for extra money upfront because of possible difficulties, instead told me what it would be if the surgery took extra long, had complications or went to open placements. I really appreciated that since Dr. Aceves wanted to charge me $2,400 extra just because of possible problems. I ruled him out as money hungry so I would have went to Dr, Ortiz if I hadn't liked dealing with Dr. Carlos at the Bajanor Clinic so much and hearing the positive feedback on them from this forum. I was rebanded 4/3/06 for $6,900 plus airfare at Bajanor Clinic by surgeons Dr. Covarrubias and Dr. Miguel (I was able to get another mid-band...love my mid-bands!) We are officially maxed out on credit cards and in big debt but I am banded and have hope for getting back to goal and most of all I know I'm not going to gain anymore. I'd like to say I've lost a bunch but the scale hasn't moved much. I have however lost inches. I lost enough that none of my pants fit shortly after being banded. My mom took me to Lane Bryant and bought me a pair of size 18 spring capri pants. I got my first fill on 5/17/06 (ends up my port is slightly tilted and hard to feel the port versus scar tissue so Dr. Fox couldn't hit it without sending me to the hospital for a flouro and fill, that meant the $224 fill went up to over $700) I've got the spot marked with black sharpie still so next time, he'll know where to hit it and that it is slightly tilted and won't cost as much. Anyway about 2 weeks ago my pair of pants got noticeable too big and by time I went to go shoping they wrapped about 7 inches or more past the button. I tried getting a 14 in them at Lane Bryant but they were loose enough I didn't want to waste the money. I had a gift card and coupon for Old Navy so I headed over there thinking I'd need the plus section but I found two pairs of summer capris in regular 18's that fit great. I was very happy! I now need to really work on exercise since that is difficult for me with all my medical issues and go to the protein diet my doctor recommends. It's a diet called Foxkins, really Atkins minus the salads but he says he has patients that easily loose 15lbs a month on it plus he prescribes (Phentermine) appetite suppresants. They just make me jittery unfortunately but work for many especially during the liquid and mushies stage. I'm going to read Adkins this week and make the noted changes by my doctor and try to stick to it for the next 3-4months then try to do just Atkins for a couple more months and then just eat a good high protein, low carb bandster diet. I hope I have the determination to do it! It just seems I barely made any changes except for eating less the first time around (plus I had about a 3 month period following surgery where I had no interest in food) and the first 90lbs dropped off then I added some exercise (which was difficult but I wasn't in as bad of health with my FM back then) and the rest came off more slowly but steadily. I've now got 65lbs to get off before I get back to my goal of 180 at the height of 5'6", I know it's not what the Height/Weight scale says it ideal but having been obess my entire life and being 180 as a freshman in H.S. I'm very happy there as an adult. My doctor doing my follow-up care likes his patients to get stick thin and wanted me to shoot for a size six, I just had to laugh since that's the size I wore in third grade. We agreed I'd try for a size 9, which I admit would be great even if it was just temporary because then I'd be ahead of the baby weight! Anyway, I've got to crack down on my eating and work hard to get at least a little exercise. I may have to work harder this time but I really want to be at 200 by Dec. 30th for my cousins wedding that I'm in. She was in mine so this time I could in wedding photos I could be looking better than I did in my own. I don't think I'll fit the dress if I don't lose at least another 45lbs by then. So there are my details, sorry so long! I'll have to add a ticker sometime. Nice to meet you all, April

I checked out the Vita4life supplements and they are all in capsules not chewables or liquid so I don't plan to order any of those, I also checked out Bariatric Advantage supplements and they have lots of flavored chewables, plus the small size biotin to swallow, and sublingual B12 so thinking I'll order what I need from there. Does anyone have another line of supplements they recommend checking out or an online vitamin store they get everything from for reasonable prices. FYI I haven't seen anything about Omega 3 in chewable or extra small capsules. Thanks, April

Yasmin Surgery Tomorrow! I had a great experience and all will go well for you too. Be warned Dr. Carlos often forgets his patient name sign for at the airport but he will be over by the baggage claim, looking like a slick hispanic man well dressed and slim. He'll probably be on his cell and watching for someone walking around looking for someone and then come up to you. Dr. Miguel is a great surgeon, he assited on me with Dr. Covarrubias as my primary surgeon. It was my 6th abdominal surgery and they were still able to place my band laporscopically! My port is slightly tilted so make sure they get it tied down good, also you want the "pars flaccida" techinique for band placement since it has a lower slippage rate than the older technique. So make sure to ask the pars flaccida technique by name when you meet with the surgeon. Do you fly out in the morning? How exciting! What type of band are you getting? Are you staying at The Hotel Lucerna the night after surgery? It's such a beautiful hotel and has email in the lobby. I ordered in chicken broth, jello and tea. It wasn't expensive. Dr. Carlos will give you liquid pain medication and anitbiotics to take with you to the hotel. It is still a good idea to take gas-x (and make sure to move around since most the pain is either at the site of your port or the gas in your abdominal area or behind and between your shoulders) with you, maybe some liquid tylenol to help if you have break through pain (the stuff they gave for pain made me pretty sleepy), and I took those instant heat patches made to go around your waist and heat your back but they work great turned around and the heat feels great on the stomach area. The Hotel Lucerna doesn't have microwaves in it's rooms or fridges, but they have a coffee maker (I brought tea bags so just used the coffee maker to make hot water so I could sip on tea) They provide 2 bottles of water for free in the room. There is a pharmacy across from the fountain in front of the Hotel if you are planning on getting prescriptions filled while there. My only complaint is getting them to let you know what time they'll be picking you up from the hotel and then taking you to the air port. I only had 10 minutes to spare before my flight since they were running late. Good luck on surgery tomorrow! April

Dr. Ortiz has dropped his prices and he is definetly well know for being top notch. In my research I didn't care for Dr. Kuri's staff so would pick Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Alceves in Mexicali. The only thing I had against Dr. Alceves is that he wanted to charge over $2000 extra just because I'd already had 5 abdominal surgeries. He hadn't even seen me yet but decided he wanted more money where as all the other doctors said they would only charge extra if the surgery turned complicated and took longer or if had to go open banding, and even then the quotes for extra weren't as much as Dr. Alceves wanted...maybe a little money hungry? I choose Banajor clinic with absolutely no regrets with terrific docs and less debit due to great prices (Dr. Covarrubias was my lead-surgeon.)

The above mentioned is all correct and I don't have much to add except I know that some Aetna plans cover it. My husband just got a new job and we'll have Aetna that covers bariatric surgeries upon special approval in August. I just got rebanded 4/3/06 by maxing out the credit cards. I keep thinking well at least they might start covering my Doctor visits and fills! I guess I would have been so impatient to wait until August to start going through the insurance process espeicially since my husband wanted to start for kids this Spring and I've put him off till next Spring/Summer so I can lose the 77lbs I put on after losing my first band, maybe another 20 to put me ahead on the baby weight! I'm 33 with endometriosis and he's 34 so if we are going to do it we need to do it soon. I just didn't want to have to wait to get banded, sort of selfish but after having a band once I know the wonder of the band! I lost 120lbs in less than a year and maintained two years. I just hope I can lose as fast this time!!! Back to the subject good luck on the ins. search. What part of the US do you live in?

I don't know about the Molding clinic except I hear the prices are great, somehow I missed them on all my research to get rebanded in Mexico. If you find out somethings that makes you want to head to another clinic (per Gracie saying the complications forum has a lot to say about them) then check www.bajanor.com I went to Bajanor clinic (my old posts I have it misspelled as banajor) and the price was $6900 for everything including my night at the beautiful Hotel Lucerna but excluding my food while at the hotel and my airfare. They have several different plans and Dr. Carlos works hard to make things work out, they offer some financing options too. My surgeon was Dr. Covarubbias and Dr. Miguel assisted. I'd had 5 previous abdominal surgeries so I was prepared to go open banding if needed but the surgeons where skilled enough to work around all the scar tissue and adhesions without me ever doing a pre-op diet and although being a bit more sore do to the more difficult placement all went great. My only complaint was cutting it too close to my flight departure to get me to the airprot. Feel free to PM me or email me at lightnerbride@yahoo.com , I hope all goes thourgh and surgery goes as planned at the Molding clinic for you otherwise I know Dr. Carlos would fit you in probably on the same day. I could even contact him to help you if for some reason you change your mind on the Molding Clinic. Best Wishes and Happy Banding!