DRP

I would go see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Are you worried about scarring?

Read the "I'm stoked" thread. Really motivating! Hang in there!

Hang in there Calicoskies! And, by the way....Happy New Year to all of you out there!! I am surrounded by an ice storm so celebrating in peace and quiet of home! I pray that 2011 is my/our year for success in the battle of weight loss!

Hey JaGo! How about November 25th bandsters? That would be me..three days after you. I have lost 13 pounds since surgery. I made some mistakes during the holidays myself, but am trying to get focused again! I can eat most anything as long as I take my time. I can eat too much, but still fill up after about 2.5 cups of food, which even though it is more than they recommend, it is way less than I would have eaten prebanding. I am not going to beat myself up, but like you try to refocus and make better choices and pray that the first fill comes soon and that it helps me eat less! Could use some support myself in getting back on track. I am hoping for my first fill in the next couple of weeks if I can get something scheduled. Good luck to you and lets try to keep each other on track! DRP

Hi KC bandsters.... I am just a short drive away in Iowa and I make it to beautiful KC often! Love it there. Do any of your docs do fills for patients that did not get their surgery done with them? If so, would you be willing to send me a personal email with your docs contact information? Thanks!

I went through three days of this headache. I drank a lot of coffee prebanding. I am pretty sure my headaches were caffeine withdrawal as I was getting enough liquids to not be dehydrated. Since I managed to get through the headaches, I have stopped drinking coffee, which is an appetite stimulant, I think, anyway. If you were not a coffee/caffeine drinker preband, have you stopped taking any of your meds since banding? I know I stopped taking an allergy pill and a couple of reflux pills after banding. I never did research to see if sudden stoppage of any of these meds might cause headaches, but I did wonder. Just ideas....

HELLO AGAIN! Are their any Mexican bandsters from the midwest that have successfully found a local bariatric specialist to do their fills? If so, are you willing to either post the information in this thread or send me a personal email? I would like to find someone in the midwest willing to take me on. I am willing to drive if necessary. I live in central Iowa. I am within driving distance of KC, Minnesota, Nebraska, other parts of Iowa, Illinois, etc. Thanks so much to anyone who is willing to provide information! DRP

THANKS WINDUS! I sent you a personal message to get more info on your fill doc. DRP

Hello 4cc, 10 cm bandsters! Advice please! I am 6 weeks post op the second week of January. I had my surgery done in Mexico and I have a couple of choices for my first fill: 1. Go to Fill Center 2 hours away, they do not use fluoro. I can do this on a Saturday and not miss work. Other positive is that if I need an unfill, I am in a much better place to go for it. 2.. Go back to Mexico, same doc, and will definitely get my first fill with Fluoro. I would have to miss one to two days of work to do this. 3. Use a fill Center in the US that uses fluoro. I would still need to travel by plane likely as I am in Iowa where there is not much support unless you want to cash pay $25,000 big ones for your surgery, in which I did or could not! ADVICE AND SUGGESTIONS??? Thanks, DRP

Watch for signs of infection. I had something similar, went to the doc and got an antibiotic, and the stabbing sensation went away. I think I was in the early stages of an infection. I did not want it to get worse so I acted early. DRP

I have had no issues at all with my band. I am steadily losing weight, nothing miraculous, just 13 pounds since my surgery on November 25th, but I am happy with it. I am not starving myself, but trying to be careful. My only concern about a fill without the fluoro is that I have the 4cc band and from what I have read on this forum, usually people need less fills to hit the sweet spot and after the first fill, it seems that each fill is very, very small, sometimes with fills, then unfills, etc. So, I didn't know if having the fluoro might me get a good fill. I am fairly new at all of this and I love hearing from others about what they would do. I am not really concerned at all about not having fluoro at the fill, but wanted input from others as to if people thought it was necessary. I am truly leaning towards the fill center. I could take time off from work, but would rather not. Not only that, I am a single mom, and would need to arrange childcare while I am gone, so going to Mexico will turn out to be fairly expensive for me with flight, hotel, fluoro fee, taxi fee, childcare and time off from work. But doable if necessary. Thanks so much for your feedback so far! DRP

Hi! I was banded in Mexico on Thanksgiving day in 2010. I received the 4cc band. So far so good with no issues, but I am not finding many others out there with this band. Humming Bird....what has you experience been with this band? Has it been positive or negative? I am five weeks post op and eating more than I should, however, MUCH LESS than before being banded. I am 13 pounds down with 50 to 60 to go! I am looking for advice as to whether you think I could get by with going to a Fill Center which is 2 hours from me, but no fluoro at fills, OR just simply returning in Mexico where I would get the fill with a fluoro. Any input? Also, curious as to how many fills it took you to reach your sweet spot and any problems you may have encounted in this journey, if willing. Thanks, DRP

Thanks so much for your story. I am sorry you have been frustrated with your band. I will take your advice and look up the person you suggested. I hope I have a better experience with my band. Thanks, DRP

So Cleo's mom, have you basically been happy with your 10cm and 4cc band? How many fills did you need to hit your sweet spot that everyone talks about? I have a call in to my surgeon in Mexico to discuss this with him, but would love to hear more about your journey with this size of band. I am told that the benefits are that you do not need as many fills as the larger cc bands. Would love any advice or input if you are willing. Thanks, DRP

You must be doing something right if you are 27 pounds down in 2.5 months! Hang in there. I am only nine days post op. I followed the all liquid diet perfectly until today, (was supposed to do it for 14 days) and cheated.....started myself on some mushies.. I think I am fine...but we will see what happens tonight! I didn't exactly choose low cal mushies either! I am hoping to do better tomorrow! I am nine pounds down, but am guessing that is about to slow now that Water weight is off! Don't be too hard on yourself. Just try to make better choices. That is what I am going to do! I also am struggling with the basics, but hoping that overall, I will make enough changes to bring at least 60 pounds off of this big ole body of mine!

I am a November Bandster too! Thanksgiving day for me.

I will likely be banded in Mexico. In fact I already have it scheduled for Thanksgiving Day with Dr. Rodriguez. I do not meet insurance criteria in order to do it in the states. I live in Iowa and I have not yet found anyone who is willing to do my fills. There is a Fill Center USA in New Prague, MN, which is 3 hours from me. Has anyone ever used this center or know who the doctor is? Do the fill centers only do fills, or will they consult with you on aftercare as well. This is where I am struggling with my decision. Is there anyone out there with similar experiences? I am very confident that this is what I want to do, and am willing to drive for a fill if I must. I can always return to Mexico if necessary, however, it would be much more convenient to do it in the area. Any thoughts? DRP

Soooooo....this is not good. Nobody has experience with Fill Centers USA across the nation????? I hope I do not have to cancel my surgery. I am not so dumb to go and have a surgery where I cannot get aftercare. Any feedback at all?????

Hi! I am DRP. I am getting banded on Thanksgiving day with Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Tiajuana, Mexico. Is their anybody else out there who might be starting this journey about the same time? Keep me posted so we can support each other!

Hi Zenaida! I am scheduled for Lap Band surgery with Dr. Jose Rodriguez on Thanksgiving day in Tiajuana. I saw on your last post that is where you went and with the same doctor. Did you have a pleasant experience? Any advice for me? Thanks, DRP

Hi I am considering Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Tijuana. In fact, I have already scheduled and paid a deposit. I have talked to people on his referral list. Is there anyone out there who has used this doctor and what was your experience? He has done over 4000 Lap Bands and so far my research on him is good, but if anyone has any input out there for me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks, DRP

YIKES!!!! I am scheduled for surgery on 11/25. This is a big fear of mine! The reason....I teach elementary kids and they are brutally honest! How long does this gas last? Only at the beginning or throughout the weight :w00t:loss process?