Gettinghealthy

Hi everyone - I am having surgery with Dr. Rumbaut down in Monterrey, Mexico on May 16th. The paperwork that Dr. Rumbaut has given me suggests a liquid pre-op diet only for those with a BMI of over 50. I'm interested in knowing your experiences??? Please respond so I quit worrying about whether or not I need to do this! Thanks Gettinghealthy:)

I was banded in Mexico with an Inamed 4cc band and I have a low profile port. Maybe it is just your surgeons preference to us a regular port??

Weeelll, unfortunately, I experienced my first PB session yesterday and I have 1.8 cc fill in a 4cc balloon. I guess I wasn't paying attention and didn't chew well enough. Yes, I experienced the searing pain in my chest, my nose ran, my eyes watered and I started sliming like crazy! Thankfully I ran straight to the bathroom and it came up without too much trouble, then instant relief. I did, however, stick to liquids and a bit of mashed potatoes the rest of the day! I'm kinda glad that my first PB is over so I no longer have to dread the first one!

That is really interesting. I had surgery by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey (he is banded as well) and he told me to just soften the capsule in my mouth for about one minute and then swallow it. They slide right down! He says whenever he has a cold or anything, he looks for something in capsule form to take as they seem to go down easier than pills (even those cut in 1/2 or whatever!

I know exactly what you mean! I had my first fill and actually felt NO difference - I went back the next week and they basically said something about the air in the band displacing the liquid or something along those lines. They brought me up to 1.8 cc saline in my band (I have the smallest one with only 4 cc capacity) and wow it finally made a big difference! I finally understand restriction! Don't give up - call em back and head back in!

Hi Everyone - I am so glad to hear that someone else has had this problem. I have felt a few things (mostly chicken or crackers) get stuck and have had intense pain until they eventually passed. But, instead of taking a break and going back to liquids, I thought I was fine as long as it had passed and kept right on eating. Well over the last few days my throat has started aching and feeling tight more and more . . . I finally called my doctor and they said the same thing that I am hearing here - I have irritated the mucosal lining of my esophagus and some people just get a referred pain into the back of their throat. Needless to say, I am back on liquids today and hoping to feel better soon!:angry

HI Everyone - I just reached 4 weeks post surgery yesterday. I am feeling good overall, however, every couple of days, I still feel some pressure or "restriction" in my chest for no apparent reason. I just woke up with it again this morning again. I haven't vomited or PB'd or had any problems like that, but it just still seems to come and go. Has anyone else kind of had this on and off again type aching in their chest (banded area) following surgery?

Congrats on being banded! You must be doing pretty darn good to be able to even get online and be clearheaded enough to type! Good for You:clap2:

Being a new bandster myself (May 16, 2006) I keenly remember how every gas bubble felt like I had a watermelon stuck in my chest! Hang in there and it gets better every day. I was actually in the hospital overnight following surgery on IV pain meds so didn't feel a whole lot for the first day and 1/2. Believe it or not, in as little as two weeks, you will feel pretty much back to normal! Keep in touch! Sherry

HI Sherri - I'm new to this so I hope I am actually responding to your post! I just had surgery by Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico on May 16th. Now two weeks later, I am feeling very well. I think Dr. Rumbaut and his team are fantastic surgeons. The only problems we experienced (my Mom traveled with me) was the language barrier with the nurses at the hospital. They were very nice, but we really had trouble asking questions and requesting information from them. We reported this to Dr. Rumbaut and he was going to go to work making sure each floor with his patients had an interpreter available at all times. The hospital was beautiful and everyone at the hotel was extremely nice and helpful. Dr. Rumbaut is a bit more expensive than the other surgeons in Mexico. My surgery was $10,600. Dr. Rumbaut was able to refer me to a fill doctor here in the USA. I highly recommend Dr. Rumbaut. One thing I would caution is not to travel alone for this. Please bring someone with you who can help you and stay at the hospital with you. I live in Washington State and had to fly to Houston and then down to Monterrey, MX. It was a long day getting there and an especially long day getting back once I had already had surgery. But I'm sure I'd do it again if I had to. Good luck! Sherry

HI EVERYONE - I WAS JUST BANDED DOWN IN MONTERREY LAST TUESDAY - MAY 16TH. I HAVE BEEN RECOVERING THE PAST WEEK. INITIALLY FOLLOWING SURGERY, I FELT A TIGHT FEELING IN MY CHEST AND THROUGH TO MY BACK, HOWEVER, IT WENT AWAY ABOUT DAY 3 AND NOW I'M FEELING IT AGAIN - I'M STILL ABLE TO DRINK MY liquids, ETC, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS GONE FOR NOW! ANYONE EXPERIENCE THIS TOO?? ALL THESE NEW EXPERIENCES ARE KINDA SCARY!!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!:eek:

Thanks for your replies. I did e-mail my doctor - it isn't chest pain like I probably made it sound. It is a restriction type pain where the band is. I wondered if it might still be some gas pressure hanging around in there today! They had me describe the pain and said not to worry about it??

Thanks for sharing your tater tot fiasco! You said that you ran and got the papaya??? I'm not yet banded so I wondered what you were talking about - papaya enzyme?? Please let me know! Thanks.

Hi Everyone - I've been doing just fine with my decision to be banded, until I read an e-mail yesterday about a female patient that died last week following surgery by Dr. Kuri. I guess is was a pulmonary embolism. NOW I'M TERRIFIED - help!!!

Hi Alexra - I'm getting banded in May and would love to know what you favorite tips would be to a newbie. You should be soooo proud of yourself. I bet people do not even recognize you! Please share your wealth of knowledge!!! Gettinghealthy

Hi EVeryone - I'm getting banded on May 16th by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey!!! Will I see you then??

Hello Everyone! I'm so glad I found this community! I am very excited and very frightened for surgery in May. One of the main things I am concerned about is what to take with me to Mexico as far as liquids to eat on the way home. I live in Washington State and so it will take nearly one full day of traveling to get home. Is there a certain type of instant broth I should have with me? Are we suppose to drink Protein shakes with our liquid diet at first?? Anything you can tell me regarding the liquid phase would be a great help! I'll be waiting to hear from everyone!

Thanks so much to everyone who responded. By the way, this is probably a gross question, but I keep seeing people referring to PB - I think this means vomiting? I feel like the only one out here in the dark so thought I better make sure I know! I sure hope the Hampton Inn still offers a "goodie bag" I'll be sure to check! Thanks again.

Hi Everyone - I'm posting for the first time! I am also going to be banded in Monterrey, Mexico. My surgery will be done by Dr. Rumbaut on May 16. I am very excited and just as frightened! I'm from Washington State so I will have almost one full day of traveling on the way home. I need to know what I should have with me on the flights, etc. Instant broth/diet Jello?? I'm so glad there is some support for us out there! I have a BMI of 44 and pre-diabetes, Severe sleep Apnea, off the charts triglycerides . . I feel like this is my last chance to get my weight under control~ Please let me know of anything you think is extremely important to have with me in Mexico and on the trip home. Thanks!