jlm20639

Hi all: This Janet checking in - I haven't been to July group since I signed in. I was banded on July 4th - my husband thinks that was the coolest day to pick - Independence Day in more ways than one. Things have been going very well for me. I spent extra time PVR after surgery and was so glad that I did - it was sort of a mini-vacation for my husband, son and me. When I weighed myself on 7-25 I was down 17 lbs. Which made me extremely happy. The pureed food has been interesting - I tried making my own, far to much work for me! And I so thought that I would be hungry all the time, 900 calories just doesn't seem like much. But to my surprise it has been very easy and I have good restriction. I drink lots of water, take my liquid vitamins and walk on my treadmill. Congrats to all my fellow July 06 bandster pals. Janet

Dr. Joya has the diet plan for pre-op on his support group site, under files. Gerald generally responds to emailed questions quickly. There is a lot of good info on the support group site, so check it out. Before I left for PVR, I cleaned my house (I knew I would not feel like doing it when I came home), I bought broth, apple and white grape juice, sugar free jell-o, crystal light, and flavored Water so when I got home I would not have to go shopping. I packed very light and had a suit case with wheels. My husband and son went to PVR and they packed light too. Dr. Joya gives you some pain medicine and antibiotics. I took gas-x strips (which I didn't use), and liquid adult strenght Tylenol (some people had their regular Doctor prescibe pain medicine, but the Tylenol worked great for me). Before you check into the hotel after surgery, Natalie will take you to the store to get some things to drink at the hotel. The broth at the Krystal is excellent-but you usually have to ask to get just broth or otherwise you also get chicken and rice in the broth. Take lose clothes and slide on shoes for the day after surgery, I had to have my husband tie my shoes becuse I couldn't bend over to do it. A sports bra is also a very good idea. I also took some band-aides, gauze pad and paper tape to cover the incision sites when I was out and about, we stayed a few extra days after surgery and I was very glad we did-it made the flight home easier. I also took my own pillow - because I sleep better when I have it. Hope this helps. Janet

I was instructed to start walking right away. Due to nature of my job, which involves a lot of walking and standing, I was just to take it easy for the first two weeks, and no lifting things that wieghed more the 10 lb. After two weeks I could start on the treadmill, but slowly. Nothing strenous for the first six weeks. Even cleaning house burns calories, so it's all good. Janet

I am just under 3 weeks from surgery - just in the mushie stage, I have been counting calories since 1 week out when I started the full liquids. I figured if I started now then it will be a ingrained habit when I get to the real food stage. I really hope it helps!!

Hi fellow OR bandsters; I live in Bend, and was banded on July 4th by Dr. Joya PVR. I am doing great 2 weeks and 2 days post op. I just started on the pureed food and walking on my treadmill - very slow of course. I think there may be one person in the local support group who has been banded, I haven't attended any meetings yet, but I really need to! I have lost 15 lbs. since surgery and down 30 since starting the pre-op diet. Yea!!! Hopefully there are some other Bend area Bandsters! Janet

I have scheduled my first appointment with Dr. Mirande in KFalls. He has conistently answered all the emails I have sent him and provided me with great information. His office staff have been terrific to talk to on the phone. I attended a seminar in Bend with Dr. Archer, was not terribly impressed, and they seemed to have a lot of hoops to jump through with no guarantee that the would accept you as a patient, expecially if your surgery was not done in the states. I will let you know about my visit to Dr. Mirande after I see him. Janet

I had surgery with Dr. Joya (I am Tricia K's mom's co-worker) on July 4th. My husband and I did alot of research on different doctors here and in Mexico. I was very comfortable with the decision to have Dr. Joya do the surgery. His staff that I had contact with, Gerald and Nathalie, were extremely helpful, we email but I do have phone numbers to call in case I need an answer quickly. The whole experience of having the surgery done was excellent. The two biggest challenges we faced were getting TP and supplies for the bathroom, and the limited English spoken by the nurses. But I do have to say they understand the important words, like pain medication, shower, IV, and walk. Please feel free to contact me at jlm20639@yahoo.com if you have more questions, and check out Dr. Joya's site www.drjoya.com.

Hi All: So I guess I'm a little late joining the July Group, but here I am!! I was banded on July 4th in Puerto Vallarta by Dr. Joya. I am doing great, altough the first day after surgery was pretty rough. I am so glad we stayed extra days, my husband and son were a great help. Today is one week post op and I feel great. Today was the first time on the clear liquids that I really wanted to eat, tomorrow should be better - I can start on the full liquids.

Hi: New to this board, but I was banded on July 4th in Puerto Vallarta by Dr. Joya. My husband and I did alot of research on Dr. Joya and we were very comfortable with the decision to go there. I also faced the issue of no insurance "coverage", and to have the surgery done in Bend, OR where I live was/is outragously expensive.