DRSharp

My surgeon and I are becoming fairly cordial and he has shared a few things he has ran across since he does fills on bands that have previously been placed. Mexico doesn't have to follow the same standards USA docs do. He has found some patients with just a port and no band. Others have had just gauze wrapped around where the band would be. I realize that there are some very successful bands done out of the US, but do your due diligence and don't believe ANYTHING they tell you until you have proof.

If you haven't had any problems thus far, I wouldn't think there would be any. If you are having problems or think you might need a fill eventually, start searching for a doc now. It might be hard to find one.

Do you have a doctor set up near you to manage fills? It may be hard to find one that will take you on since you went out of the U.S. and it's a liability on them, but without a doc to manage fills, your band is not going to work for you.

I got my band today from Dr. Ladd Atkins in Tulsa. He is also a plastic surgeon, so he took of around 100 skin tags from my neck while I was out. I'm not nearly as sore as I thought I would be. My incisions don't hurt at all and I can even press on my port without too much pain. I find that I have this strange almost hungry pain that is where my stomach is. I'm assuming that is the band itself. I anticipate being sore for a while and will probably be more sore tomorrow. I was able to go out and do some light shopping tonight though. Is this typical or am I just particularly lucky?

I'm on my liquid diet and wanted to share about the Campbell's gourmet bisques in the black box. They are AWESOME!! Give them a go if you are tired of your tried and trues!

$12,200 with a year of fills at Lap-Band Center of Oklahoma in Tulsa.

Ladd Atkins, DO is with Lap-Band Center of Oklahoma in Tulsa and will see already banded patients in addition to new bands. I trust him over Gorospe anyday. I've heard some really bad things about him. There's a reason he only operates in Wagoner now...Be careful! Dr. Atkins number is (918)392-2806.

Great article. I just had my initial consultation today and am already experiencing last meal syndrome...and I should know better!!! (Wife is a very successful bandster) I suppose part of it is a coping mechanism to deal with the stress of a major life change. I have somewhat of a bucket list of foods that could form dough balls or cause slips.

We have loads of Muscle Milk powder. It comes in more flavors than just vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry. We have peanut butter cup, s'mores, cookies and cream, etc. Variety helps. Beef broth with taco seasoning was one of my favorites when I helped my wife go through her liquid diet.

I just had my initial consultation today. If insurance falls through and I'm a self pay, I'm shooting for a surgery date of March 18. If insurance is going to pay, I will have more hoops to jump through, so it will be around 6 months.