Mary Luke

Would you mind sharing the name and number of the doctor you used for fills after your experience with Dr. Maese? I, too, am looking for someone other than him to do fills. Thanks for your help! Mary Luke

I think part of doing research is learning about the experiences people have had with their doctors, both good and bad. That is how I decided to go to the doctor I eventually chose. Perhaps we can have different opinions about what constitutes research/informartion.

I think part of doing research is learning about the experiences people have had with their doctors, both good and bad. That is how I decided to go to the doctor I eventually chose. Perhaps we can have different opinions about what constitutes research/informartion.

I was banded by Dr. Zapata in Monterry, Mexico. Terrific doctor and terrific expeience! Mary Luke

To someone who is researching doctors on this thread, I highly recommend the doctor I used . His name is Dr. Zapata in Monterrey, Mexico. He is a wonderful doctor who is caring with patients as well as exhibiting great expertise when it came to fixing a problem I had when I went for the surgery. Having worked in many hospitals and with many doctors, I can easily say he is someone I would feel comfortable telling anyone about. Mary Luke

To someone who is researching doctors on this thread, I highly recommend the doctor I used . His name is Dr. Zapata in Monterrey, Mexico. He is a wonderful doctor who is caring with patients as well as exhibiting great expertise when it came to fixing a problem I had when I went for the surgery. Having worked in many hospitals and with many doctors, I can easily say he is someone I would feel comfortable telling anyone about. Mary Luke

Is there anyone else who has had experience with Dr. Zapata, a doctor in Monterrey? I need a revision and need some help choosing who to go to . The doctor who did the original surgery is no longer doing them.

Skinny Mom, Thank you for the info! It is most appreciated! Mary Luke:)

Is a revision like the origianl surgery? Does it cost as much? Is it just a matter of restitching it into place? Please explain how it works. Thanks! Mary Luke

Thank you for the response to my post. I am not computer savy enough to put all my stats in automaticaly. I was banded in Mexico 3-28-06. The band is 9.75 ccs. I started at 233 lbs. I did fine with my first fill of .8. In fact, it provided very little restriction. I got that fill about 5 weeks post surgery. The next fill went up to 2.0ccs, according to the doctor's documentation. Then he went to 2.8. We then went through the summer reducing the fill amount due to inflammation, etc. We got down to 1.3 In August and I had lost about 35 lbs. At that point I started having lots of problems with any amount and was unfilled several times. I would wait several weeks for everything to calm down and then start to slowly build up. He would add a small amount (0.2). If that was comfotable, he added a little more.Any time we hit 1.5, I would be fine for about a week and then the inflammation started, not being able to eat, etc. This went on through the fall-back and forth to the doctor's office almost every week or two. It was also expensive! But, he was really patient and kept working with me to find the 'sweet spot'. I am now at only .6 and have been here since 3-19-07. The band may be a bit tight but I can live with it and am losing weight again. I stayed at 160 lbs.for months and months. I now weigh 155 and am losing slowly but that is OK with me. So, I try to mix water with juice, drink soups, protein drinks, small amounts of food,etc. This may not be the recommended way to procede but it is working for me and I have been able to stay out of the doctor's office for almost 2 months!:clap2: Mary Luke

These last posts have really been helpful! I have had a hard time getting down enough water. My body seems to adjust better to juice than water. I know I should not dring much, if any, juice but sometimes it is the only liquid that will staay down. I try to keep some type of liquid around all day so I am constantly trying to sip/drink something and prevent getting dehydrated. I appreciate knowing other people have been working on the same thing! Mary Luke

Oh my gosh, I could not agree with Julier more! My band certainly seems to have its own life. It responds differently to things I have eaten before all the time. Why, I have no idea. But I might guess it is because bodies are ever changing and so the band, which is now part of my body, does the same. It makes me really slow down and listen to its needs. I have never been good at doing that and it is probably a good thing to do . Frustrating-but good.

Sherrie, Thank you for the info about NovaBody Solutions. I have not heard of them before. That is the great thing about this board...you can get so much information from people who are dealing with the same questions and concerns. It is a terrific help. Mary Luke

Thank you for the suggestion. I am in Arlington. What do you think of Dr. Dobson? Mary Luke

Thank you for the info. I learn from this site all the time! Mary Luke:)

Is there any doctor in Dallas besides Dr. Maese that does fills using fluro for people who had their surgery in Mexico? Mary Luke

What is a Huber needle and how is it different from another type of needle? Thank you for the info. I have not heard of this before. Mary Luke

Thanks you guys! I felt really good to get responses so fast. The Mexico experience was so good. I wish I could calm the fears and concerns for the people considering it. Many years ago, I lived in Guatemala and had to have emergency surgery there. Again, it was a really good experience. My doctor had been trained at Yale Univ. and was a specialist in the needed area. So, going to Mexico for the lap band was not really a problem for me and I had no insurance coverage for the surgery here. I am happy to answer any questions people might have about Mexico. (I believe there are angels among us too!)

I have been reading this site since before my surgery in March. I have even posted in several threads but while jumping around on different topics, I found this one today. So, basic facts- I live in Arlington, Texas, I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Sanchez on 3-27-06 (Monterrey). I was at 238lbs at my highest and am down to about 175lbs.-give or take the day. Dr. Maese in Dallas does my fills and I have had a hard time getting adjusted to a place I feel good. Right now , I am at 1.9 which feels a little tight but we'll see.. My band is the 9.75,(I think). I would have to get my paper work out to see and it is too early to get that energetic.:notagree I look forward to being more involved and getting to know some of you fellow bandsters! Mary Luke

Dear Christy, When using the silicea, do you have to quit coffee,mint,etc? A friend fo mine who is a homeopathic die-hard says homeopatic remedies won't work if drinking things with caffeine or mint. Thank you for the info! Mary Luke

Thank you for the info about Biotin and Nioxin. I will purchase both. KariK, I appreciate the sharing of your knowledge. This forum provides so much help to me.

I was so glad to see this thread! I have been losing hair like crazy and have been pretty worried about it. I lose enough to block the drain several times over each time I wash my hair. It continues to come out through out the day. I have heard weight loss and a lack of enough protein contributes to the loss, but I am grateful to read that others have had theirs grow back.:puke:

I had my first fill May 8 in Monterrey,MX. I went back to the doctor who had done the surgery-Dr. Sanchez -because I wanted to see what the first one should feel like and have that to compare to future fills in the U.S. It went very fast and was painless, except for the first little sting of the needle accessing the port. But, the port was found on the first stick. I was flat on a table so the machine could see everything easily. The table was raised a few degrees so then I was on a bit of an angle. After drinking a few swallows of barium-not pleasant but not horrible either- the needle filled the band. It was so quick that I did not even know it had happened except that I could see it on the machine. Then another swallow of baruim to see how the liquid passed through. The doctor thought all looked fine and I was done! I can feel the restriction when I eat because I have to eat more slowly and chew everything almost to a liquid. If I do that, then there is no pain. If I eat too fast or do not chew well enough, the food gets stuck and it hurts. So, I am slowly learning to change my eating behaviors which is what I have needed to do all along!

Surgery-3/27/06-weight 233lbs First fill-5/8/06-weight 222.8lbs; not feeling restriction. 5/11/06-Emailed Alma telling her of lack of restriction. food for 5/10-can of minestrone soup (240) 2 slices of turkey (60) can of chickenw/rice (220) apple(80) 1/2 apple(50) calories-total=630

Surgery-3/27/06-weight 233lbs First fill-5/8/06-weight 222.8lbs; not feeling restriction. 5/11/06-Emailed Alma telling her of lack of restriction. food for 5/10-can of minestrone soup (240) 2 slices of turkey (60) can of chickenw/rice (220) apple(80) 1/2 apple(50) calories-total=630