rsduhe

Hey Kansas Bandsters-Let's here from you. I have to go to the Missouri forum to find people to chat with. Also, I'm trying to find out who would like to get together, in the greater K.C. area (or a little beyond), for a friendly support group. Having got together with 'Wannabtiny', from Missouri was a real treat. It's so nice to talk with other bandsters face to face.

A lot of us who had surgery in Mexico (myself by Dr. Rodriguez) have the J&J port. It use to be known as the "Swedish Port". The tubing is 11 centimeters long, between the band and the actual port. It holds 10 cc's of fluid, but Dr. Rodriguez says it should not be filled more than 7.5 cc's, since complications can arise. He also suggests that the first fill be 3.5 cc's, and to follow a liguid diet for three days after the fill. Even though this port can hold alot of fluid I urge extreme caution against overfilling. I had 3.5 cc's on my first fill. I felt close to being restricted, but was still eating to much. My second fill I asked for and got 1.5 cc's added. Big-Big mistake. The local doctor doing the fill didn't know much about my type of band, he uses one that has a lot smaller balloon, so he went along with my reuest. I spent the night sitting up spitting my saliva into a cup, because if I didn't it would pool in my stomache and I'd throw up again, and again, and again. I had to return the next day for an un-fill. It has been almost 2 weeks since my unfill, down to a total of 4 cc's. I have trouble getting meds down, and can barely eat. Please be cautious with fills. Even with a large band I don't think I'll have a fill over 2.5 cc's again, and definitely not unless it's under fluro(XRAY). My dr. routed around for 10 min with a spinal needle, before he gave up and we did it under fluro. I'll never have a fill again, unless it's done under fluro.

Thanks Wannabsmall for the update on Dr. Malley. I really did like him, and I feel bad thinking he tried to screw us with that up-front $2000 fee. Maybe I'll give him another chance. Are you a Kansas person? I live in Mission, KS and maybe trying to get a group of us together in this area. Would you be interested?

Just wanted to let you know that shoulder pain is very common after all Laparoscopic Surgery. I've been in surgery, as a RN, for over 20 years and I've heard it time and again. Doctors believe it is the migrating CO2(carbon dioxide gas) that they fill you belly with, so don't worry. The gas is finally absorbed by the body.

Hey Pink, I'm two weeks post-op today. Dr Rodrigues in Monterrey Mexico has his patients do 1wk liquids, then 1wk mushies, the on to solid foods. Well I went beserk! First I went out to lunch, to my favorite place and had quiche lorraine. To make it worse I drank some tea during the lunch. I didn't stop there, no I went home and cooked a spaghgetti dinner for my husband and me. I didn't fill my pasta bowl as full as usual, but it was still way to much and I knew it. I ate it all anyway. Now, here I am 4 hrs later, and I feel so overfull I could throw up. Yes food is my old comforter and I felt I needed it, since I'm depressed. I'm still having pain from surgery. I don't feel I look like I've lost weight, though the scales says I have. I can't bend over to pick up things or shave my legs without pain. The scabs on my incisions itch. I can just now turn on my side to sleep, but with some discomfort. I'm bored. My house needs cleaning, but I can't do it all yet. Yes, I'm a bit of a mess. Aren't we all, at one time or another? Sorry you are down, but it gives me hope, that I'm not alone. Lets hang in there together. I know I'll have lots of time later this evening to reflect, while I'm lying in bed with my overfull tummy. Wishing I hadn't been so stupid. Hang in there!

Hi April Bandsters. I was banded on 4/5/05, by Dr. Rodrigues in Monterrey, Mexico. Guess I've had it a little easier than most, since Dr. Rodrigues doesn't require a liquid diet befor surgery. After surgery he has you do one week of liquids, than one week of mushies, than on to regular food. Tomarrow I'm on the regular food. Yippie! So far I'm down 25lbs.. I'm sure that is do to the liquid part of the surgery. No problem with PBing yet. Thank God! For those about to have surgery, good luck. If ya need any personal support just let me know. My biggest milestone, at two weeks post-op, is that I can now turn on my side to sleep. It was getting pretty annoying sleeping only on my back (propped up on pillows). Good Luck to everyone.

Hello Fellow Kansans, Had my surgery on 4/5/05, by Dr.Rodrigues, in Monterrey Mexico. Pain is deminishing daily, but I still take an occassional Vicodin when I overdo it. Tomarrow I get to start on mushy food, good thing 'cause I'm sick of liquids. My main thought is that surgery was more painful than I thought it would be, but I had no comparisons. Thank God my husband is a big guy, or I'd never have made it on and off the toilet, let alone out of bed those first few days. I feel real positive about this, like the hardest part is done. I know there are big challenges ahead, but I'm alive, home, and safe.

Hi, I'm being banded on 4/5/05, by Dr. Arturo Rodrigues, in Monterrey Mexico. My nerves have really started kicking up, but I'm excited too.

Ok, I'm on board. My surgery is scheduled for April 5th, by Dr. Rodrigues, in Moterrey, Mexico. No turning back now. I'm scared and excited!

Hi Jan W I just scheduled my surgery for 4/5/05, with Dr. Rodrigues, in Monterrey, Mexico. Yes I'm scared, but at the ssame time very excited. I plan on using the time before surgery to do as much research as I can. There is so much to learn. Pre-op=learn as much as you can, Intra-op=get through surgery, Post-op=learn to eat and drink correctly, Rest of your life=enjoy the new you. Hope to hear from you. Take care! Robin

Hi Everyone! Well it's Springtime, and I have decided to pack away my size 26/28 winter clothes for good. I've just scheduled my surgery for 4/5/05, with Dr. Rodrigues, in Monterrey, Mexico. I'm a 48 yr old female, with a BMI of 48. I really need the surgery since in the last year I have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, And High Cholesterol. Yes I'm scared, but that's because I'm an OR RN, and I think knowing so much about surgery makes it worse. Also, I still have so much to learn. I'm still trying to decipher what "PBing, PB, and Sliming" mean. Most people use these terms in their threads and I've sort of figured out the code to mean when food gets stuck in your throat. Any info more in depth would be helpfull. I was also wondering what to do about gas pain, after surgery. Actually any info for a newbie would be greatly appreciated. I'm in this for the long haul, and with your help I'll succeed. Thanks!

Hi Shamrock, Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm an OR RN, and I just scheduled my surgery for 4/5/05 with Dr. Rodrigues in Monterrey, Mexico. I'm a little apprehensive about going outside the US for surgery, but Tricare Ins. doesn't cover Lap-Band. I really need the surgery. I am 48, and in the last year have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, and High Cholestrol. My 48 BMI tells me I'm a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen. I began my journey with lots of web research, and finally found a doctor and his staff I liked. You must feel comfortable with who you choose. Hopefully for you your insurance will cover the cost. Best of luck!

I'm trying to find out about Dr. Rodrigues, in Monterrey, Mexico. Then plan is to have surgery the first week of April, at the San Pedro Clinic. Let me know what you think.

Yes there are others out here. I'm new to all this, in fact I have just registered. I plan to schedule my surgery with Dr. Rodrigues for the first of April '05. Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. I am a Surgery RN and I live in Mission Kansas. Hope to hear from you.