Hey Louisianians...I'm a pre-banster...looking for some locals for support/personal experiences....

I had my surgery on a Wednesday and went back to work on Monday. I was a little sore and a little tired...but otherwise I did great.

I am 2 wks. after surgery now and feel better than I have in years!!!!

Its a great thing. No worries.

Thank you for the kind and encouraging words. Its just what I needed to hear. I spent all morning reading the threads on "complications" and it was a bit unnearving.

I am glad it is working so well for you. I am really hopeful that this will be the path to weight control for me.

I am having mine done by "Surgical Specialists" in Covington. Have you heard anything about them?

Thanks again and continued good luck.

Liz

I haven't heard anything about that group. I'm in Shreveport and I went to Texarkana to have my surgery.

I know you'll do great. Just follow the rules. That's the most important thing.

Thank you for the kind and encouraging words. Its just what I needed to hear. I spent all morning reading the threads on "complications" and it was a bit unnearving.

I am glad it is working so well for you. I am really hopeful that this will be the path to weight control for me.

I am having mine done by "Surgical Specialists" in Covington. Have you heard anything about them?

Thanks again and continued good luck.

Liz

My surgery was performed by Dr. Thomas Lavin of Surgical Specialists of Louisiana in Covington. You're in great hands!! Everyone there is wonderful.

Hi Shontel......LaPlace, Louisiana here. Going through the process to get the band hopefully i will have it for the summer if i dont chicken out.

Welcome LaPlace! Don't chicken out. It's been a great thing for me already. Hang in there!

Hey Shreveport/Bossier City Bandsters.......

Have yall ever talked about having a get together to meet each other???

I live in Marshall TX and I would love to meet some bandsters close to me.

I am thinking of driving to the Dallas get together on April 22nd, but would really like to start a local gathering.

I'm in. Actually...I go to Marshall for work quite frequently. You ever available during the day? I am actually going to my first support group meeting in Texarkana next week. That should be fun.

Hey...I went to the doc on Monday and my wt. loss is 27.4# from 2 wks. pre-surgery when I was there. That's in about 4 1/2 wks. total I guess.

Hey all you Louisiana Ladys, I finally got a date set! I'm going to Mexico the 28th, will be banded the 29th...I CAN'T WAIT....Please feel free to contact me, I'm going to have to have a plan not to go crazy from waiting till them..tee hee

Will you have a pre-op diet? I had to go on liquids for 2 wks prior to my surgery to shrink my liver (to make surgery go easier and recovery easier they said). My doc has ALL his patients do that. The reason I ask...That was my focus for those 2 wks (the diet) and I felt like I was already working towards my weight loss. I actually lost 15 pounds before surgery. You might consider that. It is definitely a diversion. I can tell you the diet if you need it.

rhlane, yes, I'd like to see the diet...not sure If I have the willpower to do that without a 'band helper' though...but I'd like to see what you did.

Ok...here goes... this is what they told me to do...

For 2 wks. after surgery:

LIQUIDS - - hot or cold (tea, water, sugar-free popsicles, crystal light, slim fast, broth, some juices) - - - NO straws!!! - - but remember that consistency needs to be LIQUID - - even though we don’t want to use straws (because they allow us to bring in too much air), we want the selection to be liquid enough that we would be able to suck through a straw (figuratively).

Also included: creamed soups (strained - - no chunks - - no meat), thin smoothies,

Eating with spoon ok, but NO CHEWING FOR THE FIRST 2 WEEKS

Week 3:

Advance to pureed diet, so anything you had in wks. 1 and 2 are still acceptable but you can add the following: Yogurts, sugar-free pudding and jello, scrambled eggs (not dry), baby food, smoothies, grits, very creamy mashed potatoes, applesauce, etc.

Week 4:

Advance again, so anything you had in wks. 1 – 3 are still acceptable, but you can add soft canned vegetables and fruits and soft casseroles

NO BREAD AT ALL FOR THE FIRST 4 WEEKS.

Week 5:

Add back regular diet slowly.

Ooopss...

I gave you my diet for AFTER the surgery.

Before the surgery:

Beginning 2 wks. pre-op I drank 3 - 4 slim-fast optimas per day (only).

Then on day 5 of that I could start substituting a small garden salad for 1 of the slim-fasts. The key is that in your salad you can only have things that grow in a garden (ex, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, onions, etc.) and you have to use fat-free dressing.

I did that and by surgery I'd lost 15 #.

Hope it helps.

How did you pick a doctor in Mexico? What are the pros / cons? I am going to a local surgeon and my insurance isn't covering any of it. If you go to mexico will a local doctor do your fills? Sorry for all the questions. My date is coming first week of May so I am still exploring all options.

Thanks

Congrats to all of you that have made the big step! I am still in the research/planning stage. I do not have insurance, money or very good credit so my parents are looing into co-signing with me. Im real interested in Dr Joya or Dr Sanchez. Still undecided. I am from Monroe area and also checking into post op care/fills. Glad I found yall!