ready2bthin

There is a large bandster group in the metroplex in yahoo groups called dfwbandsters. They are very helpful and offer support dinners/lunches throughout the month where you can meet other bandsters. I have attended some of these and find them encouraging and helpful. Since I was banded in Mexico, I needed to find fill doctors, too. The ones that I know of in the dallas/fort worth area include: Dr. Walter Dobson: 972- 660-3188 (I think he may be in Grand Prairie, but call and find out) Dr. Jayaseelan: 972-566-2263 (Dallas, and this is who I go to for fills now) I know that Dr. Carter is in Fort Worth and may see you, too. He just isn't listed for taking patients banded in Mexico. I would go to yahoo and join up dfwbandsters though and get some support set up and they may have other doctors to add to this list. Take care!!!

Tomecia25: There are several dinners and a lunch held around the dfw area. The one in Arlington is on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 6:30-9:00 at Mecado Juarez on Miller. You can see the full list of all support dinners and groups if you go to yahoo and look for DFWbandsters under the groups. You can become a member and then access the calender on the yahoo homepage of the group. Hope that helps!! Happy Banding!!

Okay, I'm gonna jump in here. My doc gave me a protocol for when one throws up food. This is for after the healing period (4 weeks out or more) and for when someone is experiencing discomfort (I get left shoulder pain when my pouch/opening is irritated...which happens from overeating sometimes or when I've thrown up) 1. Don't drink/eat anything for 12 hours. If your mouth is dry, swish Water around or gurgle. Following that, try some water and see how it goes. If all goes well, go on liquids for 24 hours, making sure to get in Protein. 2. Then have water for morning and a Protein shake, followed by lunch of mushies (tuna salad, chicken salad, etc.....that type of texture, making sure to get in your protein). dinner same texture. Be sure and stay away from spicey stuff, tomato stuff, orange, lemon, pineapple, carbonated, wine, beer, etc. (anything that will irritate your pouch area). 3. water, protein shake for Breakfast, then mushy lunch and then try regular food for dinner...small bites (bandster eating). If all goes well, then you are back on track If you don't follow the first step and are experiencing problems, START fresh again!! Now, there are times when I've slimed something or had an immediate pb, that I haven't followed this and been fine. But, there are other times when it's been a more severe episode and I've been forced to do this, as I've had difficulty with shoulder pain, etc. It's BEST to take care of any irritation as soon as you can, as if you continue in bad habits and causing irritation to your pouch area, you can get chronic problems that could result in more serious problems. If you are ever in doubt, PHONE YOUR DOCTOR!! I had a lot of irritation after a too tight fill and me having problems and not taking care of it right away. I ended up getting a slight unfill, but still had to "work with it" and was on LIQUIDS more than I would've liked to be just to get everything feeling well again. So, again, take care of your band. Hope this is helpful!!

I went back to my Mexican doc for my first fill. I then have tried out 3 different places for fills/unfills. There is a list of docs on the yahoo group, Mexicanbandsters. Dr. Jayseleen (sp?) is one doctor in Dallas. I also called Dr. Benavides' office a year ago and for a fee, he would have taken me on (don't know if he still does). There is a Dr. Dobson (I think) in Grand Prairie. I had a doc in Bryan, TX, (Dr. Stephanie Eijsink), who was banded in Mexico, and does fills on Saturdays. She is not a lapband doc (she is a family doc, I think) but is trained in fills and uses the fluoroscopy machine. She also uses the same technique as my Mexican doctor. Another doc that many go to for adjustments is a cariologist who is the nephew of a Mexican doc (Sanchez...who is now deceased). He will do adjustments in Dallas and Ferris, TX. His name is Maese. If you go to the yahoo group, mexican bandsters and look under the "files" section or one of those links, there is a list for every state (most anyway). If you have difficulty with that, private email me and I will give you the phone numbers, etc.

Hey everyone, There hasn't been a great interest in the Denton Bandster dinner after 6 months of meeting. Therefore, we are not going to meet in an organized way unless others come forward and want to make a commitment to meeting. I'm going to plan on attending either the Dallas or Arlington dinners or the Plano lunches which are advertised on the yahoo group, dfwbandsters.

Tonight, July 5, 6:30-8:30, is the monthly Denton Bandster Dinner at Jason's Deli in Denton. Jason's is located across from Golden Triangle Mall on Loop 288/35. Bandsters, people thinking about being banded and spouses and friends are welcome to attend. Any questions, feel free to post or pm me!! Hope to see you there!!

Just wanted to jump in here. Don't feel bad about ANY weight you've lost....CELEBRATE!! You may have to educate your inlaws on the band. Remember the average weightloss with the band is only around 1/2 lb.- a couple pounds a week overall. So, it's a safer, slower way to go. Some lose faster and more at a time, but that isn't what this tool promises. Don't compare yourself to others (this is something we must remember) and many people think of the gastric bypass weightloss surgery where people drop 60 lbs. in the first month or so. They don't understand the band!! So educate them and just keep living the band lifestyle. YOU WILL SUCCEED!!! Best Wishes to you!!

Richard, What did Dr. Rod suggest you do about this?

I will be at the meeting this Thursday, June 7 at Jason's!! I will be wearing the same shirt that I have on in my avatar pic!! Look forward to seeing ya'll there!!

I am on a yahoo group called "mexicanbandsters" that lists fill doctors in every state. I will copy them and paste them in here for you to have. You will need to call and verify costs, etc. as the information may not be up to date, although I did update it a few months ago. I have used 3 of these places for fills and they all use fluoroscopy with the fill, which I insist on having anyway. I've gone to nova solutions (which I didn't care for but know a few people who thought they were great), dr. stephanie in Bryan (she does fills like my Mexican doctor and was banded in Mexico by Dr. Sanchez (not my doc). Recently I needed a slight unfill and went to Dr. Jayaseelan but didn't meet him. Someone trained in his office did the unfill. I was a bit disappointed because I thought he was going to do it. Guess he was in surgery or something. TEXAS - DFW-Nova Body Solutions2696 W. Walnut St. Garland, Texas 75042972-665-2639$200.00 TEXAS - Dr. Dobson, email: janadob@swbell.net647 S. Great Southwest Pkwy. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX 75051972-660-3188 $250 TEXAS - Dr. Jayaseelan Dallas 972-566-2263 250.00 TEXAS - Dr. Maese Dallas 972-842-3911 $200.00 TEXAS: Dr. Stephanie Eijsink3201 University Dr. East, Suite 405, Bryan, TX(903) 520-8847$200.00 (cash only)

I have 4 scars, the port scar being about 3-4 inches above my belly button and the longest (just a hair under an inch in the front) and the next one over on my left (almost to my side) under my ribs and measures just under 1/2 inch and one under my braline in the center which is probably under 1/4 inch and then last but not least towards my right side and measures also under 1/4 inch. Those last two are so small that it's difficult to tell that they are even there. I was very pleased with how small my incisions/scars were. It seems that many of the mexican banded patients like me have the port in the front. I think there was a study on here about that. So far, so good and I've been banded almost 10 months.

I'm in chat now!!!

Joan: WABB is giving you very sound advice, which I totally agree with. The protein intake was KEY with me during the healing phase, which was 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks mushies/well chopped and then easing into solids. I made sure that with all my liquids, I added unflavored protein or had a protein shake. I found a brand called "On" at the Vitamin Shoppe, which is Vanilla Ice Cream flavor with 120 calories, 24 grams protein, and only 3 grams of carbohydrates. I then add a little fatfree/sugarfree chocolate pudding mix to flavor it. I tried their chocolate flavor and rocky road and didn't like it (I'm very picky), so this is my morning shake usually even now. I also bought unflavored protein powder from Welcome to the UNJURY Homepage and added that to my soups, made jello with it (they have recipes) and got in protein that way. Recently I bought Nectar brand protein which is mixed with water for a refreshing drink that has protein, too. So, you can get in protein with liquids and in doing that, it will help with the healing and with weightloss. I continued this during the mushy stage, too. But, generally, I tried to make tuna salad, chicken salad, seafood salad, etc. to get in the protein. So, everyone out there....follow the bandster rules and you will heal well and be on your way to the weightloss you need/want. I know that I'm happy with my band and with the loss I've expereinced so far!!!

There are some yahoo groups with fill doctor information. There is also a very active dfwbandster group on yahoo. There are several dinners/lunches throughout the month where you can meet bandsters. I would suggest you go to yahoo and join the dfwbandsters. Here is a list of some other fill doctors in the area: Dr. Jayasleen (Dr. Jay) 972-566-2263 $250.00 which includes fluro or you can check to see if he accepts your insurance if you have it. Dr. Dobson: 972-360-9188 $250.00 with fluro Dr. Maese: Isn't a band doctor but one of the first doctors trained in giving fills as his uncle was a well known lapband doctor in Mexico (Dr. Sanchez). He charges $200.00 with fluro LIke the other person stated, there is AIGB. I called them and since I was self pay, they wanted me to pay quite a hefty fee before beginning my fills. I went to Dr. Jay's office last week for a slight unfill and didn't meet him, but he had an article on his wall from a Dallas Magazine where he was one of the top doctors in Dallas. One of the gals from the dfwbandster group works for him, so you can talk to her through the dfwbandster group, too. The folks on that group have a lot of band experience since Cynthia (the one who works for Dr. Jay) was in the FDA trials around 7-8 years ago before the band was approved here. Trust me, they have a wealth of information on that group and are very supportive. I've met them at the local bandster dinners in Dallas, Plano (near Richardson) and in Arlington. We started a Denton group too, recently. All of the meetings are listed on the dfwbandster group on the calendar. Welcome to Texas!! I'm from Michigan originally, but really like it here!!

If I lived in San Antonio, I would drive to Acuna (3 hours) or go on one of the "fill trips" with my doc's assistant Barbara, and have Dr. Jose Rodriguez fill me. I've returned one time to him and was very pleased with the price (I think it's 100 including the fluro) and his method. I live too far away or would have gone back to him for my other fills, as well. Some from my area (Dallas/Fort Worth) are going to him in June on one of the "fill trips". You can also shop in Mexico while you are there. You can contact Barbara at JoseBand

Welcome losethechains!! Liked the post. I have recognized that I need to "lose my chains" in regards to using food when I'm stressed, etc. Our Heavenly Father wants us to run to Him when we are tempted to overeat or eat something just to "medicate" our pain. I'm reminded of the verse, "No temptation has seized you, except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (I Cor. 10:13 NIV) As you say, the band is a tool and I believe one that the Lord directed me to in helping me get a grip on the obesity. But, I must cooperate with it and there are still battles to face. I thank the Lord every day for saving me and for loving me. I am growing in the knowledge that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Okay, well, gotta run!! Have a blessed night everyone!!

I'm glad you could come!! It will be fun to see all of us "shrink" to our goals!! Keep in touch!!

Glad things worked out for you after all, but what a HASSLE!! I have never really liked LB, as I'm short and at my heaviest a 22/24 pushing a 26/28. Well, it seemed that everything I tried on in LB, was for women that were at least 6 feet tall. I actually stopped going there after I found Avenue. Avenue seemed to have clothes for my height and they are cute, too. I also have found things at Wally World, Target, CATO (my now favorite store), Catherines, Dillards, Penneys, etc. Recently, I've bought all my "smaller" clothes in CATO, who have plus sizes and regular sizes and many times in the same outfits!! So, I can go to both sides of the store, depending on tops, bottoms, and cut of clothing. I like the prices, too, as I'm not staying at this size and really don't want to spend tons of money when next summer I'll need new clothes!!

396power: Shouldn't you be on a soft textured stage right now? I guess I'm not understanding how you can be "eating what ever I want". What were your doctor's instructions for this stage? During the healing phase it's so important to follow instructions. I think some people refer to this time as "bandster hell" as your band doesn't have fluid in it and you are not getting good restriction. Find out when your doctor will allow you to get a fill. You may just have to "bite the bullet" (lol) and keep yourself busy away from food. Also, be sure that you are getting the proper amount of protein in, which means you may need to supplement with protein shakes that are low carb and have at least 20-25 grams of protein. I also added unflavored protein to my soups and made a jello recipe out of it (www.unjury.com) to make sure that during my mushy/soft food stage that I was getting proper nutrition. I would also suggest using a smaller plate and dishing out your "bandster" portions and not having the food right in front of you. At our bandster dinner last night, we were talking about the "habits" we had developed and needing to change those. It will help when you can start getting your fills, but remember that the band is a tool that one must work with in order to be successful. Just get throught this "bandster hell" time trying to follow the bandster rules and your doc's orders and then start getting your fills for restriction. You can do this! Keep getting support, too. If there is a local group for you to attend, do so. We started a dinner in our area and it's at a place that everyone can eat, even those on liquids.

Neal, I'm glad you could come, too!! I was thinking that you missed the tour of Richard's hippie bus, Furthermore. We all agreed that you are an inspiration to us on our way down to our goals. Congratulations!!

I'm still coming!! Hope to see some of you others there. It's tonight at 6:30 (Thursday).

Just happen to pop in here and read this. I'm sorry for those of you who have been refused due to your BMI being too high. On our previous insurance, they did not cover lapband for anyone, but would cover bypass in certain situations. Well, that was not an option for me and I probably wouldn't have been covered anyway. So, as you can see I went to Mexico. The gal who assists my doctor with patients (she was my contact and drove us there from San Antonio) was an over 50 BMI and chose Dr. Rod as she knew he had experience with these patients (as I'm sure many others do as well). So, if you don't get anywhere with your insurance (do all you can), you may want to consider Mexico or self pay in the states. There are many competent docs in Mexico and in the states. Some in the states are now lowering their prices (I would just be sure they are very experienced lapband doctors). Mexico is still less expensive if you are open to that....($7,000-12,000). I wish you the best in the journey of weightloss whatever you decide to do. I am very thankful that I did go ahead and get the lapband. Each one's decision is just that...individual. (lapband vs. bypass.....US vs. Mexico).

I wanted to reiterate that Six Flag rides are much smaller than Disney World. When I was at my heaviest and in a size 24 almost 26, I had some difficulty with Six Flag rides. They had a special seat on the Batman Ride for larger people and that helped but still tight. At WDW, I rode everything!!! I remember thinking that they designed their rides to fit larger people. I just went to WDW again in March and now that I'm down to a 16/18 (yayyy!!!), I didn't worry at all, remembering my past experience when I was heavier. I can also sit in an airplane seat much more comfortably now. I did have a slight scare on my last trip, as for some reason, the seat belt just barely fit. I had already gone on one way with no problems and then one leg back with no problems. It was a smaller jet and I don't know why, but the belt barely fit. I really had thought those days were over (stressing over the seat belt not fitting, asking for an extension). Next time, will be a breeze!! I LOVE MY BAND!!!