MelissaN

where is it? I have a 10cc band with a 1.5cc fill right now... My doctor fills SOOO slowly! LOL I wanna get to a good place in my first year (I have until August) because it will be $250 per fill after that point. Just curious where seems "comfy" for most of you!

How're my Banded Buddies doing? Just checking in...

I was banded on Tuesday (5/11) and as of today (5/15) I'm down 7.8 pounds! Yay! How's everyone else?

Yay Kerri!!!! I look forward to hearing from you about it!

My surgery date is May 11-- Tuesday! Can you BELIEVE how close we are?!?!? I'll be going to Monterrey Mexico for my surgery Monday morning... Surgery Tuesday... Recovery/Swallow study Wednesday... Fly back home to Alabama on Thursday morning!!! I'm praying for as little pain as possible!!!

*hugs* My poor band buddy! I don't know how we keep missing each other in real-time chat!!! I wish I could be here for you when you need it!! 'Cause I SO get it! Anyways, be strong. You can do it-- not much time left before we're banded and have the tools to help us truly succeed!

I can't believe it'll be soon for all of us! I'm busy with last minute stuff around here-- since I'm getting banded in Mexico, I'm cleaning and making plans for my 3 year old to stay with grandmama.... Just trying to focus on getting everything ready so I don't have time to stress and second guess myself!!!

Looks like there are a lot of us... I'm so excited!

My surgery is scheduled for May 11... I'm gettin' nervous, but at the same time am SUPER excited to be moving into this new phase of my life!

A surgery date!! WOO HOO!

I was told today that my pre-op diet will consist of 48 hours of clear liquids. My BMI is hovering near 40 (either 5'6 or 5'7, 245 - 255)... Is 48 hours only of liquids enough to do the job of shrinking my liver? I mean, I guess if Dr. Zapata thinks it's enough I should be content that it's not a SUPER long pre-op, but... I sure as heck don't want to get there for pre-op testing and them say, "Oh... Hmmm. Nope. Can't do it!" Anyone got insight?

My surgeon told me that because of where my BMI is, I will only do a 48 hour liquid diet. Can you tell me more about the Optifast? I want to make sure that I don't go in for my pre-op testing and them say, "Oh my... We should have had you on a more stringent pre-op diet!" Just curious :thumbup:

Soexcited, I would NEVER jump into surgery, period. Let alone surgery in a different country. LOL I totally see your point, though. When I first began researching, I thought people who went out of the States for surgery were crazy! But, now... In my area, at least... I feel entirely MORE comfortable with the 2 doctors I've researched in Monterrey than I feel with the doctors here in my hometown. When you add in that my insurance doesn't cover weight loss procedures at all... Well... It takes care of that 0.5% niggling doubt about Mexico. IMO, I'd be more likely to have my esophagus banded here in Alabama than in Mexico. But, I might just be unlucky in the medical choices here in southern Alabama, too. I'm sure there are great surgeons in the US as well. I'm just not fortunate enough to have access to 'em!

Good luck! Our insurance does NOT cover lap band... And that's fine. After attending the seminar here in town, even if insurance DID cover the surgery, I believe I would STILL be looking for alternatives. I know it might sound a bit far out, but... The prices in Mexico can't be beat and, frankly, there are some doctors who just impress me exponentially more than the US doctors I've spoken with. PM me if you'd like more info (I've been researching like mad). Good luck on the journey!!