Bandsters:

I'm getting banded by Dr. Kuri in Mexico on 10/17/12. Everything is set. My wife and father are coming with me as my mother is staying home to care for my brother who had the Skin surgery recently after losing 270 lbs with the lap band. So far I have the following:

1) Passport

2) Heating Pad

3) Nausene for nausia

4) Gas X

5) Polysporin Ointment for incision area

6) Cashier Check

7) Flight Itinerary and confirmation #'s

8) Hotel confirmation #'s

9) Cash for paying for medications, hotel and misc.

10) Lose clothing for flight back home and when leaving the hospital

11) Light robe and sandles to walk around the hospital rather than with that skimpy gown they give you after surgery

12) Papaya enzymes from GNC to help with any digestion issues if I have a stuck episode afterwords. This is definately after the liquid phase obviously.

Please pray for me as this is a life altering decision for me as well as it has been for all of you out there. I pray that I'm making a wise decision and this band won't somehow bite me down the road of some unintended consequence that was unforeseen. I know you all know what I'm talking about. I just pray not only for a healthy surgery but that I will use wisdom in working with the band properly. I don't want to misuse or abuse this thing....its an investment in my health, my family, ministry, and financially with future medical and food costs savings down the road.

P.S. Any advice pre or post trip would be appreciated. Also, any advice in making the transition with the band much easier would also be greatly appreciated.

At the end of the day....I just need your prayers, encouragement and any wisdom you have regarding your journey and success.

Respectfully submitted,

MD

Place this journey in God's capable hands...

Couldn't have said this better. In fact....this is going to be a quote I use a lot more in the future. God sure does.....have capable hands.

Thanks Sojourner !

Safe flight today, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

in Hotel Angeles here in Tijuana, Mexico with my wife. My Father is at the Marriot Hotel around the corner as only 1 person can stay in the room here. Had a fantastic last regular meal across the street a a high end Italian place.

The service and Dr. Kuri has been amazing so far. We had a first meeting with Dr. Kuri and then he came to my room to give last minute instructions. Anabelle (the main nurse) has been awesome. Very patient and professional. Was surprised Dr. Kuri even called personally tonight to follow up with my sonagram results revealing 7 stones in my gallbladder. He said I probably will eventually need to have it removed. The funny part is the sonagram only cost $58...at my hospital in Illinois, it would be $1500 if I paid cash.

The entire staff has been 5 Star as a whole. I'm so thankful for a wife and parents that have been so supportive. its 7:15pm here and will be woken up around 6:30am for Pre-Surgery .

Keeping all of this in God's Capable Hands

Good luck hope all went perfectly!