kyakdreamer

My husband and I talked about it and I decided to only tell my kids and parents. As the weeks went by and friends starting commenting on my weight loss I then proceded to tell them I had lapband. They were all supportive. I have not had anyone that isn't. Not sure if that would have been the case if I had mentioned it before surgery.

I had my first fill about 3 weeks ago. The doc. doing my fill used a floroscope so she got in the first time. I did have some pain however due to some scar tissue. I plan on using her everytime but if something happens and I can't I will only use a doc. that does the floroscope. They can see exactly where the port is and where they are putting the needle. Hope next time is easier!

I had my surgery in Mexico and am using Dr. Babineau for my fill doctor. I was in the same boat you were as far as not having a regular doctor so I had nothing on file for the past 3 years. My insurance co. would not cover the surgery even if I did have problems. If you are in Tyler there is a great dr. in Lindale. He was my doctor here in Palestine for a long time. He is Great! His name is Russell Bell. He is with the Trinity Mother Frances clinic in Lindale. It is to far to go for colds and such. I found a dr. this past week in Jacksonville that I think I am really going to like. Also, I started to go with Dr. Barker. I had heard some good things about him. I had a problem getting ahold of anyone at his office. I kept getting the answering machine. In the mean time I was contacted by someone I had sent some info to and things just flowed real smooth and I ended up going to Mexico. I have no regrets and had a great experience. I pd. 7,000 so if Dr. Barker is doing it for 9,500 that is a good deal. Good Luck!

Not sure what doctor your friend used. The one I used will do fills but it requires you to stay overnight I believe. Plus, they encouraged all patients to use fill centers of America here in the states and gave info. for you to contact them before surgery. I personally contacted a doctor close to me (whom I could not afford for surgery) and he is going to take care of me for fills and problems. I would not go back to Mexico for fills simply because of the cost. I also have a family doc. who knew what I was doing and was very supportive of it and he was willing to help me if complications arose once I got back...luckily they have not.

I understand your situation. My parents were fine with the decision to go to Mexico. We told our boys and their spouses that I was having surgery and they were very supportive UNTIL they heard we were going to Mexico. The youngest did not agree with it but he did not give us any trouble. The oldest was a different story. My husband finally had a talk with him and he calmed down. I told him I trusted God to take care of me. If it was my time to go then I could pull out of my drive way and get hit by another car and get killed or something else. To ease your mind. Dr. Rod. did my surgery on July 25, 2008. We did not tell our friends because we did not want a problem. The hospital was cleaner than any hospital I have been in here in the US. The only problem I had was the language. Dr. Rod speaks good English and several of the nurses but everyone else has a hard time understanding or speaking. They do give you a sheet with phrases in english and spanish...that helped. Also there is a girl (Lopita) you will meet her when you get there. She speaks fantastic english and you can reach her any time. I also had a facilitator that I adored. She called and helped with some questions I had. Also, you are on a floor with only americans. We were able to use our cell phone without extra charges. That was a help for our boys. They kept in constant touch with us. I made a lot of friends while I was there and I like that you stay in the hospital the whole time. You don't get released to go right home or to a hotel. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them....what to take, what to expect, etc... Good luck with the family.

I noticed you were banded in Tijuana. They have been in the news for some time (since 1997) for killings and kidnappings. Yesterday they were in the news for kidnapping of an American women and her daughter (I believe). I never saw anything about a "Important Lap Band Doctor" being killed nor did I find any such thing on the internet. Does not mean it did not happen. All I am saying is were you were at is as dangerous or more so than Juarez. In fact, if you go to some places in Arkansas right now it is dangerous (if any of you have seen it on the news...West Helena, Arkansas). When people started posting things on lapband talk right before my surgery I contacted my facilitator and contact numbers given on alert sights. I was told to use precautions like don't go walking the streets at night or in certain neighborhoods. Heck I got that warning when I went to New York City for vacation. In Juarez we stayed in the hospital Angeles the whole time and it was in a good part of town. Even driving to and from the airport into Juarez we felt safe. Do your own research and contact people....that is what I did. Doing research and asking questions does not cost anything and you are not bound to a certain doctor just because you check into the facilities or the surroundings.

I was banded July 25 and experienced a 17 pound loss in the first two weeks. Now in the third week I am staying the same. I expected it from what I had read from others. What you wrote though is so great. Thanks for sharing what your doc. told you, auntlucy, that was a real encouragement!

my husband and I never felt unsafe while in Juarez. Of course you stay at the hospital the whole time. It is in a very nice neighborhood. Some places send you to a hotel for a couple of days but that was not the case in Juarez. I read all the "scare" info you sent out earlier and then did my own checking and calling around. We were under no danger and never felt that way the whole time we were there.

P.S. I just wrote but then I noticed you are from Oregon. The lady who was my facilitator is also from Oregon.

I used Dr. Rodriquez in Juarez and was extremely pleased. I had mine done July 25. My husband went with me and he was very impressed with the facilities and the people. I was on a floor with just American's and we were able to use our cell phones (did not get any extra charges on my bill). The cost was 7 thousand plus airfare. They pick you up in El Paso. If you are interested contact me and I will be glad to give you the name of my facilitator I used. In fact she had the surgery done years ago by Dr. Rod. and her husband just had it done at the end of July by Dr. Rod. Good luck

Sorry I hit a button and that post sent before I was finished. I went to Cato's and found a pair of capris that were made out of jogging pants material. I got a size bigger. I was glad because my stomach was very swollen after surgery and for about a week after getting home. I also had a pr. of elastic pants but I did not wear them. I mostly wore my gown and robe or those capri's. Were are you having your surgery and is anyone going with you?

I gave the same answer to my facilitator that you gave. LOOSE CLOTHES?

I was banded on July 25. My doctor and the paper he sent home said no more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks. some docs may say different but those were my instructions.

I go to school also. I had my surgery on a Friday and my next class was on Monday evening. My doc. told me if I felt OK to go. It has been two weeks today since surgery and I have not missed a class. I usually dress nice for school but have found myself dressing for comfort not nice. Sitting in those chairs for any length of time is uncomfortable. Take some gas x strips with you. It never fails that I get gas pains (sometimes unbearable) during class. Also, remember you are only allowed to carry 10 pounds those first 4-6 weeks. My books and stuff for literature class weigh more than that. I just don't use my book bag for that class. I noticed it was pulling on the port incision. I carry those books and it seems to be fine doing that. The weight of them is more evenly distributed rather than hanging all to one side. Good luck and as someone else said everyone heals differently. I felt great my first week and at the beginning of the second I hurt pretty bad for about three days. Now beginning my third week I feel really good and have lost 15 pounds in those 2 weeks.

I was banded on July 25 in Mexico. The man driving us back to the airport was very careful. In fact, I was in Juarez and the hurricane Dolly had come ashore and was just causing a lot of rain and flooding there and in El Paso. Streets were flooded and we went through some very deep water. He got us to the airport with no problems and it was a comfortable ride. Oh, we left the hospital and flew home on the 27th. Some people were staying at the hospital and extra day, we did not. On the flight there I had no problem with the seat belt but on the way home I did ask for a seat belt extender. I wanted to be comfortable. We have a small car (Honda Fit) and I love it but it is not a luxury vehicle. I did fine on the 3 hour drive home from the airport. My husband was careful though. The hospital we were in had us on a floor in which everyone was Americans and we were able to get cell phone service on that floor. Out of the 12 only one did not get to go home as scheduled. But, she also was a gastric by pass and the rest of us were lap band. I hope this helps. It was a fast trip and yet I did not feel rushed. Everyone was very nice. Plus you only drink liquids after surgery so you don't have to worry about getting something stuck. I have followed my docs instructions to the letter or called him if I had questions.