cathmo

Hi Tricia, I did gain weight and then started losing VERY fast! LOL I was at 310 on Saturday morning, and this morning I was down to 297.5. You were right, I just needed time to let my body lose those retained fluids. I'm sticking to Dr. R's instructions to the "T". Some things just make my stomach queezy. And, YES, Dr. Rodriguez is wonderful! He's so nice, and funny, too. My husband enjoyed talking to him also. hehe What do you want to hear about my trip to Monterrey? I posted something to another section of this forum, did you see that? Cathy

Let me clarify something on this point. I believe what Dr. Rodriguez was saying about the INAMED only going 3/4 the way around was the fillable part. The INAMED band that encircles the stomach is only about 3/4 fillable. About 1/4 of it is harder silicone (or whatever it is made out of) and not fillable. The Swedish band that encircles the stomach is all fillable. I hope that is more clear. Cathy

Hi Jim, This is Cathy, from Fayetteville. You might want to go with the INAMED because you don't have anyone nearby to fill the Swedish band. I chose the Swedish band based on different factors, but the main one was if I could get a fill nearby. There is someone about 2 hrs drive from me who has worked with Dr. R before and will fill the Swedish bands. As I said before, you have to weigh the differences and make your decision based on those. As for the INAMED going only 3/4 the way around, I only told you what Dr. R told me. You should email or call Dr. R and ask him about it. He said that he has had a higher complication rate with the INAMED band than with the Swedish and the Swedish is more flexible. I'm hoping the Swedish band will be approved in the US in the near future. But in the meantime, I have someone to do my fills. If I have problems, even if I had the INAMED, I would probably fly down to Dr. R anyway to get the problem fixed. So those were my deciding factors. Good luck with your banding! Cathy

Hi everyone, I'm got back home last night late (Fri 19 May) and I am doing fine. My husband said the surgery only took 20 minutes! Wow! The only problems I have had was the day after the surgery, after we took a walk at the mall in Monterrey, we went back to the room and I felt so tired and achey and having chills..... like having the flu. I think that I walked too much and eaten too much broth. After sleeping, I was better. I've been nauseous a couple of times on the trip home, but I think that may have been low blood sugar... not enough protein. Today, I'm feeling better. My husband made me some great soup and I'm feeling stronger today. I have a question for everyone........ did anyone else gain weight during your surgery period? I weighed myself this morning, and I had gained like 4 or 5 lbs since I left for Monterrey....... even after 2 days of not eating anything except liquids! Just wondered about everyone else. Thanks, Cathy

I'm back home and banded! The surgery went without a hitch. Took only 20 minutes! That's what my husband said anyway. I'm back home and mending. :confused: Cathy

Hi Heth, I am not really nervous yet. I'm afraid that it will probably hit me when I go into pre-op. When I get those nervous thoughts in my head, I just tell myself that I have a good surgeon and he knows what he's doing. That's what keeps me from getting too nervous. Oh yeah, and I also try to think of this as a "procedure" rather than "surgery". Mind control! LOL Good luck! I know everything will go fine for you. :success1: Cathy

Hi Day, Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Just so busy lately. I am going to Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey. My surgery is one week from today! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay!! I am sooooooo excited. :clap2: Cathy

Hiiiiiiiii, I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas..... is that close enough? :eekB: I'm getting banded on May 17, in Monterrey, Mexico. Cathy

Hi everyone! I am getting banded on May 17, in Monterrey, Mexico, by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez. I am right here for those of you going before me. :biggrin1: You are at the beginning of your journey to a healthier YOU! Good luck to everyone. I pray for everyone to have a safe surgery. Cathy in NW Arkansas TBB: 5/17/06 in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Hi karma2, I will be banded on May 17 with Dr. A. Rodriguez in Monterrey, so I'm right behind you! :eekB: You sound just like me....... I have the same problem with being able to lose a few lbs, then it just stops and I can't keep the motivation . I have to lose at least 150 lbs, BMI 55.6. We need to share notes and keep in contact post-op! Good luck with your journey! Cathy

Thank you so much Paula! ---- Cathy :eekB:

Cool marz88! I look forward to keeping in contact with you. :eekB: Cathy

It's great to know someone will be going through this at the same time, albeit that yours will be a few hours ahead of me! LOL But this is great! :clap2: Keep in touch! Cathy

Hi Lauri, Way cool! You and I are starting close to the same weight also. I'm about 302 right now. My PCP ordered some tests for me before I go..... EKG, chest x-ray, blood tests, but I didn't swallow the camera. I'll also have tests in Mexico. So when in May are you having it done? Cathy

Hi Nan, Thanks for your reply! I'm having mine done in Monterrey, Mexico. My insurance through the U of A will not cover this surgery, so I am forced to self-pay. I wish that I could do it closer to home. I have such a problem with doctors not listening or "not hearing me"! So frustrating. ---- Cathy

Hi everyone, :brick: I don't think that I have posted an intro of myself here yet, but I have already posted a few messages on the boards and have been reading others' messages for a few weeks now. I am Cathy, 47, married, from northwest Arkansas, and I will be banded by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey, Mexico on May 17, 2006. I am soooooooo excited! I am totally ready for this procedure. My weight is causing me lots of problems.... in fact, I am having to stay home from work today because my knee has been strained from walking across campus yesterday. :crutch:This weight can't come off soon enough! Anyway, I'm just glad that this forum is here to help everyone already banded and for those who are looking to get the procedure done. Lots of kudos to everyone who contributes! :clap2: Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this forum. Cathy in NW AR

There is not a problem advertising for a doctor who you had experience with, but there is a problem with EMPLOYEES of those doctors who advertise. Aracely is an assistant to the doctor he was speaking of. There IS a difference there. Are you going to trust someone who is just trying to persuade you to come to HIS clinic? Think about it. Cathy

I was just wondering if there was anyone who is banded located in the Northwest Arkansas area. I am getting banded on May 17 and would like to start a local group if there isn't one already. Thanks ---- Cathy

I am having the lap-band procedure done on May 17 with Dr. Arturo Rodriguez. Have you decided yet? Cathy

I wish that all assistants or patient coordinators would identify themselves as such when they respond to someone's question. When I am looking for "objective" opinions about a doctor, I don't really want someone who works for that doctor telling me how good that doctor is. Aracely, you weren't being totally upfront in your first message, in your message to wannaB. When I first read it I thought it sounded like an ad and wondered if you were working for Dr. Cantu. Then later you said that you were Dr. Cantu's assistant. To me, that's just plain advertising on this board. "Hi wannaB, I know a doctor here in Reynosa, Mexico(2-3 hrs. away from Monterrey), he offers the lap-band for $8,300, he includes everything, since your arrival to his office until your departure home. What i know is that this is a package price, and he includes transportation, hotel stay(Holiday Inn) for 3 nights, he uses the only lap-band approved by the FDA, and he is the only one certified to do this kind of procedure, here in Reynosa. The package includes hopsital room, surgical room, surgical team, medicine, and everything, in other words, worry free package. How do I know this, because a friend of mine got banded by this doctor, whose name is Dr. Felipe Cantu, assisted by Dr. Henry Mansur, both certified by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, what I know is that both have a vast experience, and years of training. What I know is that he does the fills in Reynosa, or he can help you find a doctor near you, who does the refills. If you are interested in knowing more about Dr. Cantu please let me know. And one question, where are you from? He might even give you a discount... In a later message to seminole, you said: "Hi Seminole, this is Aracely Gonzalez, Dr. Felipe Cantu´s Assistant, here in Reynosa, Mexico," It just hit me the wrong way. How can we make an objective decision if we get advertisements? Not good. Cathy NW Arkansas

Hi Seminole, You mentioned that you are looking to get your surgery done in the middle of May. I have already scheduled my surgery with Dr. Rodriguez in Monterrey on May 17. I have been doing research on the doctors and prices for several months now, and Dr. Rod definately has MORE than enough qualifications and experience in the lap-band field and the price is very competitive. Did you ever make your decision? Cathy NW Arkansas To be banded 5/17/06