Kim Lucchesi

I scheduled through Belite and got mine done in Mexico. They assign you a patient advocate who was great to me. The only problem I had was with the doctor's group in mexico not planning things very well while I was there.

I don't know about the new Inamed band. I ended up getting the new JOhnson and Johnson band. It is not yet FDA aproved yet but it will be in October. They have been using it outside of the US for a while now and everyone really likes it. It is a bigger band which I like because I plan to get pregnant later and Iwant to be able to take all the fluid out and still get enough calories. I also like it because it has a lower profile port and less risk for erosion. The saline balloon goes all the way around the band unlike the INamed band. So far I'm really glad I got this one. Let me know if you have any other questions. Kim

I have been finding very little information/threads about the Johnson & Johnson band and I thought I could start a thread for those of us who have it. I understand that it is quite a bit different from the Invacare band being that it is quite a bit bigger. I had mine placed 8/30/07 and got a fill of 4.6ml 2 days later. I spoke with the lady at fill centers USA and she said that with the larger bands this has become more common but it still makes me a little nervous. I would love to hear from any one else with this band. Kim

I had mine done in Tijuana by Doctor Lopez Corvala. He sutured my insisions then put steristrips over them. Overall I had a good experience.

Since I left my last thread I have been reading more about fills. I am a little scared that I got a fill so early. I heard that the reason why they usually wait for a fill is because they have no way of suturing the band to the stomach. There is a posibility of the band sliping up the stomach to a smaller area if it is filled to early before it formes scar/fatty tissue around the band. I have the Johnson and Johnson band and I heard that it is bigger than the other one but I also got a fill of 4.6ml and that seems like a lot compared to others on this site. I was doing really well with pain until last night. I got shoulder gas pain again. I can't really understand why. I still have some pain at my incisions and mostly my port site but it is pretty bareable. I haven't really had to take any pain meds. I also had a really embarasing experience yesterday at work. I about died of emberasment. I have had a lot of gas since the surgery. I also think I have been swallowing a lot of air because I feel like I have to swallow all of the time and there just isn't enought saliva to go down every time I have to swallow so air is what does down. Well, yesterday I was at work and thought I just had to pass gas. Well, I was wrong. I craped my pants!!!!! :phanvan I ran to the bathroom and ended up having to go straight home and shower. This liquid diet is killing me! Well, so much for my embarasing story. Does any one else have one. Kim

I got mine done on 8-30-07 for $7250 in Tijuana Mexico. It was a good experience. If you want to know more let me know. I went through beliteweight.com

I was just banded on 8-30-07 in Tijuana by Dr. Lopez Corvala. Overall it was a good experience. I was planning on checking with some doctors at Cottonwood hospital to take me on and if they wont I know they have a band center here in SLC somewhere.

I'm a little worried. I have been reading on this site about fills and no one has nearly what I have and I got it just 3 days out of surgery! I went to Mexico and got the new Johnson and Johnson band that is suposed to have less risk of erosion. Well, I was also told that the band was bigger than the invacare band. The doctor said if I don't have much restriction before I left that he would give me a fill. They did a barium swallow test and I didn't have much of a restriction until they added 4.6ml. I'm just worrying now that it was too soon. Did any one else get filled this soon? Please calm my nerves. Does any one else have the Johnson and Johnson band?

I was banded the same day 8-30-07 and I'm back to work today. I feel great. I was up and doing yard work yesterday. It helps to get a good night sleep. I have been taking pain pills at night along with a melatonin to help me sleep. My gas pains are pretty much gone. I just have a little pressure and pain at my port site. I already feel good because my doctor gave me a little fill before I left mexico 2 days after the surgery. I'm really glad she did.

banded 8-30-07 Dr. Lopez Corvala Tijuana Mexico

Thanks both of you. I was just wondering because before I went down to Mexico they sent me a diet by email and told me the first 3 days I would be on clear liquids and then the next week and half I would be on full liquids. When I got down there they told me clear liquids for a week then full liquids for a week. I'm wondering if anyone has had any problems with full liquids the first week. Kim

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I'm not exactly sure how this works but I have some questions. I have gotten conflicting information about when I can start full liquids and mushy foods. When did each of you start and did you have any problems starting too early? I am still on clear liquids. Kim