La_madam

Hi Angel I had a BMI of 42 which is high for my height I was a self pay in Mexico. It cost me 8995.00 For everything. It has been the best money spent on myself ever. I love my band! There are several experienced doctors in Tiajuana Mexico Dr. Kuri....Dr. Ortiz..to name a couple of them. Both are very reputible. They were both trained by Inamed. Several women here also went to Mexico to have their surgery so I'm sure you will get many responses to your post. Good Luck your search and with your decision on surgeons.

Some times your fill can take a few days to a week to kick in. My first fill took about a week. Then like Marie ..Bam! Restriction! Still have it too 6 weeks later...

Hi Sultana I have read Jessi's book It was OK...honestly it is alot of what us bandsters all ready know. I would highly reccomend it to any one considereing the band or anyone who is just fresh out of surgery. It is very easy to read, you will read it in a couple of hours. It is 23.95 (a little high priced for a 132 page easy to read book) but I now have a copy of it to share with others who are considering the band or who are newly banded for it Just my opinion..

Teresa your crying is normal...I have told Lisa on several occassions that my emotions are out of control. My therapist warned me of this... I guess I used to eat instead of cry before the band. So now that I do'nt eat...I cry. It's just my emotions coming out instead of me hiding them with food. makes sense right? I now longer eat for comfort or emotional reasons..so my emotions are all coming to the surface. It does get better as time passes... for me it was mainly the first 2.5 months. I seem to be doing much better these days except my PMS week and then WATCH OUT! It's normal... You are not driving anyone crazy either...you are to sweet to do that.

Hi Janis 3 more days and you will be officially banded. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you...hope all goes grea for you on the 23rd... Let us all know how things went when you are feeling up to it!

Hi B And welcome I also live in Southern California (orange county area) I was a self pay and went to Mexico. I have no regrets what so ever. I would do it again in a heartbeat it is worth every penny I spent. I'm 3 months out and have lost 36 pounds as of this morning. Tiajuana has several very experience band surgeons...Dr Kuri..Dr. Ortiz just to name a couple of them. Many of us here on this board went to Tj to have our surgeries preformed. I'm in the same boat as you, my insurance would not cover the band and I wasn't going to waste time fighting them on it so I opted to self pay and so happy I did. Otherwise I'd still be haggling about it with my insurance company and now I'm 36 pounds lighter and no hassle from the insurance comapny. You will love this support group here. Everyone here is so friendly, knowledgable , supportive and helpful. I'm a memeber of several other boards but I find this site to be the best so I am here alot more then the others. I second Pennis advice on getting Jessi's book it is very informative for people thinking of getting the band and for us Newbies...Good Luck with your decision on whoever you choose. You will be so happy you did it... I love my band!

Hi Leatha Glad you are home. I'm happy to hear everything went well. I wish you a speedy recovery

God Luck today Debra Keep us posted as to how it all went for you when you are feeling up to it

Wow you have a great doctor there Penni.. So glad you are relieved after that email..I'm relieved for you too. I think you are doing the right thing by having the Endo at the same time..it will just put your mind that much more at ease . Good luck and We will keep you in our thoughts all day Friday!

Ruthy Congrats on your surgery date...You are going to love your band. You will be so happy you chose the band over the bypass. The complications with the band are nearly none compared to the complications with the bypass. This site is great. Lots of knowledgable people here who are very caring and sincere unlike other boards (wont mention any names) Don't be shy. Come here often, post often and read often.

Leslie you are normal. I experienced the feeling of having to burp but could'nt...it went away at about 2.5 weeks post op Debra - Good Luck tomorrow, I will say a prayer for you

Awesome! Congrats...what an inspirtation you are to all of us! What an achievment you have made!! You Rock

Leave it for Delarla LOL!!!

Alex Thanks for such a awesome post. Your post did not offend me at all if anything it inspires me . I only hope at 11 months I havent had any problems. So far I'm 3 months out and going good. Congratulations on your 60 lbs . You must be so proud of yourself and feel so good about your self. I'm proud of you

My docs instruction were as long as you are lsing 1-3 pounds a week, no fill is needed. If you go 2-3 weeks with no weight loss then schedule a fill. I think you are doing the right thing.

I'm sorryto hear of your leak..but your doctor found it and you now have anwsers as to why you werent losing so that should be some what of a relief at least you know its not you and anything you have done. Contact Inamed personally and alos tell them what has happened, they will help you The anxiety and frustration will all go away once you get all fixed up .You will be losing again in no time. Hang in there!

Hi Marie I take 2 flinstone chewables a day als that was my doctor's instructions but I also take 2 viactiv Calcium chews and 1 -500 mg chewable Vitamin C. I have been banded for 3 months now and have been taking ever since.

How come no one ever is in the chat room? As much as we all post and as well as we all seem to get along there should be some activity goin' on in that chat room. As the song goes " Let's get it started" Any chatters out there??

Kyleigh have you tried this site yet http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/ It is a support group in Houston maybe someone there knows of a fill doctor in your area. You will have to joing the group to access any info. Hope this helps

Letha I will say a prayer for you tonight too but like New Hope said in her post You'll have less time to worry about it and if you're anything like, me( Miss Worry Wart )then that is a good thing that you just found out and are having it done tomorrow..Good Luck to you and please post and let us all know how it went when you are feeling up to it.

Cherries do it for me..they are in season right now and so sweet and tasty..matter of fact, I'm eating some right now:)

Tellie I'm glad you went to see your doctor and had some of your fill removed. I'm sure that is all it was (being filled to tight) Ihope you get to feeling batter soon and please keep us posted as to how you are doing with less fill.

Thank You Penni for asking the question I have been dying to ask ..what is NSV I tried and tried to figure out what those three little letters meant but just couldn't do it! Non scale Victories - I love it!

Fantastic Job Babs! You and your band have made an awesome accomplishment. You give me hope!

Damn Girl you got some boobs! No wonder you are insanely jealous of Delarla's purple bra! LOL. With a rack like that I would be jelous of that purple bra too Glad yo hear you are doing good...you are a braver women then me ..Im a wimp when it comes to stuff like that.