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Hi neighbors! Today is my 6th post op day. I was banded last Thursday In Puerto Vallarta by DR Joya. I almost chickened out the day I was to leave! I hate flying and really got scared about going alone. But, I did it! I am probably going to use DR Carroll in Jackson for my fill doc if at all possible. he charges 150 and is less than a 2 hour drive for me. I am in West Monroe. My start weight was 268 before the preop diet, 255 on band day, and I am at 248 today! ANy suggestons on fill docs central or north LA? How are yall doing? Sherri

I am leaving Wednesday 5-31 for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and will be banded the next day. Im flying back home on Sunday 6-4. Anyone else going to Dr Joya during that time?

Hi All I am a "May-be" ..maybe if everything works out I will be banded the end of May. I will be going to Dr Joya in Puerto Vallarta. Dr Joyas fee is 8k and I have only been approved for 6k, have a small amout saved and trying to come up with the rest. I am so excited and so ready I cannot hardly stand it! I do not have much support though. My parents are co-signing for me and I have a friend who has had gastric bypass. everyone else thinks I am crazy or taking the easier way out. WHATEVER! I am divorced and have had financial difficulties in the past. My son (20) is OK with me having the surgery. he just wants me to wait and have about 3-6 months living expenses saved in the event I have complications and cannot work, etc. He thinks I am being too risky. As a nurse I understand the risks. The odds are in my favor. If I had insurance and had complications my 20% or so copay could really add up and leave me with a large debt. What do yall think? Wait until I have money saved or take the risk? I know which would be smarter but at the same time I have become quite impatient. Im ready to get a cute ticker..LOL Sherri 260, bmi 41 Louisiana

Hi All I should be setting my date this week for the end of May with Dr Joya in Puerto Vallarta. I have researched until I do not know where else to look! I am totally comfortable with my choice in the doctor etc. My anxiety (honest, REAL anxiety) has just come in to play this weekend reading (and thinking about) the post op diet. Being the control freak I am (not as bad as I used to be) I will have no choice but to follow the liquid diet. This in turn has shown me my addiction to food and compulsive eating habits. HELLO!!:party: I knew I loved food, am an emotional eater, and lazy. I just didnt realize my addiction until I became overwhelmed and anxious about the post op liquids. What advise do you have getting through the liquid stage? The preop will be just as bad (no solids) but Im not anxious about that, yet. Also the fact that Im taking out a loan to do this is a lil nerv racking. If I have complications I do nothave the money to go back to Mexico. I do have a fil doc line up but thats all she does is fills. Any suggections? By the way this forum is awesome. Yall are great! I am SO happy to have found YOU! Sherri West Monroe, La pre-bandster @260 BMI 41

Thank you guys for the advise and support!

Hi No band yet but as a nurse I can tell you that not having any solid foods going in will most likely not produce a BM. Also surgery in general can produce same kind of symptoms due to anesthesia, antibiotics, and stress on the body. On the hand pain meds can constipate. Check withyour doc about the Benefiber or some other type of fiber. Best of luck!

Hi Sarah I am an LPN with experience in surgery ans well as taking care of patients post-op. I totally agree with Elizebethsew. With some people there is a certain degree of redenss without infection. Some are more sensitive than others and doen not mean infection. Signs of infection would be redness spreading, warm/hot to touch, swelling, oozing, and temperature. Keep the are clean, dry, and keep in touch withyour doc. Congrats on the surgery. I havent had mine yet!

Thank you for your reply Dawg. I agree with a few others as incorporating what type of band. The band type/ surgeon /age of band would be the biggest factors I would think. Again, thank you for your time and the data you are collecting.

rhlane..yes i a,m familair with the rasberrys. i dont want to pay for the escort service though. I appreciate what they do, though. thanks!

No band as of yet. Thank you for this data! How long will you be collecting or is this ongoing? Could you please explain what eroding is? Also, just a word to spread. As a nurse and scrub tech I encourage ALL people going in for lapband (or any other procedure where a device/implats,etc) to ask to see the unopend box, get serial number, and then ask to see box opened after surgery and compare serial numbers. Just because a doc advertises a certain product does not mean he/she uses it. I want and need this SO bad but doing asmuch investigating as possible while gathering/saving money.

Good news! I have financing! I will find out details tomorrow but I got an email saying I was approved! I have continued my researching this subject, the doctor I chose. etc. I called Inamed to verify my doctor does use their product. I was told he does. I inquired about a local docotr in town who does fills. I was told she wasnt trained through Inamed so I question her integrity and the Mexican doctors she has been filling for. I will find out more about her. I need an Inamed trained physician to do my fills before I wander off and do this. The person I talked to at Inamed said patients of US and Mexican doctors all fair well except about 3% who have complications just as with any surgery but that those who do not have post-op care tend to have a liitle more trouble only because they do not get thier fills in a timely manner or seek help when problems arise as those who have insurance. I cant wait to set my date!

What exactly is "eroding"? What are the causes, signs and symptoms?

As a new member to this site one reason I joined was to find out by "word of mouth" about specific doctors to help narrow my choice down by others experience. I understand people should not just get on here to advertise but someone asks for advise what does it hurt? Besides, reread what is listed under this subtitle "doctors and hospitals."

WOW,,As a newbie to this site I was just thinking tonite how sick and tired I am of being sick, tired and FAT! I gained my weight about 6 years ago after my seperation and have kept it on ever since. I have become a compulsive eater and have my baked Cheetos right in front of me now.I have been cutting calories and trying to do better but as soon as I get home from work, feel depressed, alone or any other negative feeling I run to my best friend Food! I like "me" for the most part. I am a good person with high moral values. But I HATE the lazy, fat person I see in the mirror. If I do not like what I see how do I trust that anyone else would? I am tired of being fat and tried of being alone. How much more of this am I going to take?? Im too obese (NEVER thought I would have to say that!!) to get insurance and my credit is not good enough for a loan. My mom told me last week that her and my dad would help me and my future seemed so bright. Tonite Mom told me that her and Dad didnt like all the info I had emailed them about lapbands, etc. But she never really said if they would cosign for me or not. My bright, thinner, and healthier future has turned pretty glim. As I drove home from work after talking to my mom I pulled out the fundraiser candy bar I just purchased and ate it. I came home ate Easter candy, baked Cheetos,and wasnt even hungry. Then of course I was sick. Sick because I really wasnt hungry and sick because I "did it again" My compulsive behavior. I have been asked why I dont just diet and exercize. Umm,,because I am not made like those freaks who can do that. If I was I wouldnt be in this shape. HELLO!! (just kidding about freaks) If I dont get to have surgery I really dont know what I will do. No, not suicide. Im not there yet, it crosses my mind but then what would I eat?

Im still searching for a doc and for now have narrowed it downto these two. Anyone been banded for longer than a couple months care to respond? Please...Also anyone in Monroe, LA area for post-op care? ANy suggestions?

Hi Kimi...I cannot imagine what you are feeling and sorry for what you have gone through. When something like that happens I tell myself it was for the best. For SOME reason God had other plans for you. Even witht he same doc on down the road that was day you were not to have surgery. It is the only way I can feel better in certain situations is to think like that. Keep your chin up and dont give up. I am still trying to get mine financed and go to Mexico and am not giving up till I do!

Congrats to all of you that have made the big step! I am still in the research/planning stage. I do not have insurance, money or very good credit so my parents are looing into co-signing with me. Im real interested in Dr Joya or Dr Sanchez. Still undecided. I am from Monroe area and also checking into post op care/fills. Glad I found yall!

I called Dr Linda Bunchs office in Monroe/West Monroe and was told she would fill and from any doc. She uses fleuro and the cost is 300. I called on 4-7-06. I havenot been banded yet. Am still ressearching docs. best of luck!

I wish I could help but i am in the same boat. I am looking into using Dr Joya or possibly Dr Sanchez in Monterrey.