Hi. I'm going to go to Monterrey, Mexico, for the lapband surgery in May, so I'm trying to get as much info as possible from this site. I really hope the band works though I don't expect to lose a whole lot of weight overnight. I have a BMI of 35, but I have heart disease and diabetes, so the band seems like a good way to help fix those problems. I am also 58 years old. I was pleased to see some older people on the forums since I thought everyone would be young. I'm a teacher in Oklahoma so our insurance won't pay for the lapband which is why I'm going to Mexico. Our insurance doesn't pay for much. I hope this works out and I can avoid the problems reported on the problem forum. That makes me nervous. But I'm going to forge ahead because I'm sick, sick, sick of being this fat.

:welcomeB: :welcomeB:

I hope all goes well for you.

I am right there with you being sick sick sick of fat!!!!!

I am a 57 year old retired teacher. I was banded Aug. 29, 2005. I have lost 65 pounds in 7 months. I haven't needed a fill yet. My starting BMI was 40 and it is now about 29. I feel good and I look much better. I have gotten a lot of compliments lately. Everyone says that I look like I did when I was younger. So far, I have had no complications. Thank God! I had a great doctor here in WV. I was a self pay--OUCH! I thought I would be fat the rest of my life. Last year, I never dreamed that I would be wearing size 12 or 14 pants. My sister and I were banded the same day. She has lost over 70 pounds. We both are happy with our bands. I get scared when I read about the complications that some people have experienced. But, it is good to know as much as we can about the band. Read as much as you can about the lap band. You can even watch a lap band surgery on line. Educate yourself and make the decision that is right for you. Good luck on your journey to BandLand.

Thanks, ladies. I'm glad to hear some success stories. I have gotten no special preparation measures like going on a liquid diet for a week or two before the surgery. In fact, the gal who is leading me though this says I can eat dinner the night before the surgery. I'm going to Dr. Rodriguez in Monterrey and he's done a whole lot of these surgeries. I'm banking that his experience will pay off. The docs here in Oklahoma who do lapbands have all done less than 100. They are very big on gastric bypasses since they can make a lot more money on those. Several people here have had gastric bypass but I think that's a little radical for me. I'll be back in touch. Thanks again for your support.:nervous

Hi Bitter Old Hag! We have a few things in common; lower BMI (mine was 30), we're both Okies, and we both went with Dr. Rodriguez in Monterrey! You will just love the Quinta Real 5-star hotel! Oh yeah, and the surgical team. When is your appointment and where in OK do you live? I'm in Chickasha.

Hi

I was given some advice from someone else that had their surgery in Mexico. It is: make sure you have a doctor in Okla. or close for you "fill's". I know some people go back to Mex.to get their fill. A friend of mine failed make arrangement here and she did have a problem getting a doctor to help with her follow-up. I had my surgery here in Edmond. It was done by Dr. Philp Floyd. I was lucky my insurance paid. I have had my Band 12 days now. Where do you live? There are support groups several places in Okla. and they don't care where you have you surgery. I'm sure there are people that know so much more than I do. I just thought I would let you know what a couple of Okies have gone through. Good Luck. Keep in touch!

Carol -- Thanks for your help. There is a doc in Coffeyville, KS I will probably go to. I live in Tahlequah and Coffeyville is about 2-3 hours away. OKC is closer but I don't think any of the docs there will do fills for Mexican surgery. I teach at NSU and our health insurance is terrible. They won't pay for much, so I'm having to pay for lapband myself and I can't afford it in the States.

I'm pretty worried about this band thing because the idea was to lose weight without being really hungry and I see a whole lot of people on this forum are really hungry. How are you getting along?

Thanks for replying to my post. I know a bunch of people in OKC have had this surgery. I don't think any docs in Tulsa do it. They do gastric bypass and get the big bucks. So there probably won't be a support group around here unless I start one. Maybe I can belong to one of your support groups via email.

Sharon

Ravensriches -- Thanks for replying to my post. I'm going to stay in the Hilton in Monterrey. Did you like Dr. Rodiguez and his staff? Any problems with the surgery? I'd like to be as prepared as possible before I go. I think the surgery is May 11. A friend is going with me and we will fly down on May 10, I'll do the surgery on May 11, stay in the hotel May 12 and come home May 13. I don't have much time between semesters so I have to make it quick. Is the lapband working for you? As I said in another post, I'm worried about being hungry. So many people are really hungry. If I'm hungry, I'll cheat. That's why I'm having the surgery. I just am no good at diets. I always cheat when I get hungry.

I live in Tahlequah, right at the opposite end of the state from you. No one does the lapband in this area so I'm on my own. I'd certainly like to hear from you about your experience.

Sharon

Hello! I am a fellow Okie! I live in OKC. My surgeon does lap bands only, no GBP. He told me that he would fill mexican bands back in 2004, you might ought to give him a call and see if he still will. His name is Svein Mattie Holsaeter with Surgical Specialists of Oklahoma (405) 232-4211. Also, I asked him how many he has done and he told me over 100 and that was back in Dec 2004. Good luck!

I found out that there is also a doctor in Norman that will do a fill for about $178.00 each. Sorry, I don't know his name. There was someone from another board that found him. I know that there is a Bariatric Center there. As for the hunger issue you were worried about... If I start to feel hungry I just mix a scoop of protein powder with jello or something and eat it slowly. So far that has stopped the habitual hungry frenzy that I've been in for years. Good Luck! Let me know if you have any more questions. By the way, it's a good idea to have your "new food" ready for you when you get home. The Protein Powder and vitamin's I use have to be ordered from www.walgreens.com., you can't buy them at the store. Beneprotein is the protein powder I use. Optisource is the brand of high protein drink and chewable vitamin's. There are a lot of choices and everybody has their favorite.

I sure get carried away blah, blah, blah:)

Hi Everyone - I'm posting for the first time! I am also going to be banded in Monterrey, Mexico. My surgery will be done by Dr. Rumbaut on May 16. I am very excited and just as frightened! I'm from Washington State so I will have almost one full day of traveling on the way home. I need to know what I should have with me on the flights, etc. Instant broth/diet Jello??

I'm so glad there is some support for us out there! I have a BMI of 44 and pre-diabetes, Severe sleep Apnea, off the charts triglycerides . . I feel like this is my last chance to get my weight under control~

Please let me know of anything you think is extremely important to have with me in Mexico and on the trip home. Thanks!

Hope4Jen -- I will call him today. OKC is closer than Coffeyville. I'm so glad to find that there are several people in Oklahoma who have been banded. Thanks for the info.

Hi Everyone - I'm posting for the first time! I am also going to be banded in Monterrey, Mexico. My surgery will be done by Dr. Rumbaut on May 16. I am very excited and just as frightened! I'm from Washington State so I will have almost one full day of traveling on the way home. I need to know what I should have with me on the flights, etc. Instant broth/diet Jello??

I'm so glad there is some support for us out there! I have a BMI of 44 and pre-diabetes, Severe sleep Apnea, off the charts triglycerides . . I feel like this is my last chance to get my weight under control~

Please let me know of anything you think is extremely important to have with me in Mexico and on the trip home. Thanks!

Hi, I had surgery with Dr. Rumbaut too. I answered your question in another thread but I didn't realize who your surgeon was. Now I'm able to give you even more, and welcome, information: Dr. Rumbaut will give you a goody box after your surgery which includes Protein drinks and buillion cubes along with a bunch of other neat 'gimme's'. All you need to ask from the flight attendant is hot Water to mix up some broth - Dr. Rumbaut even provides you with a nice big mug in the goody box! You'll do fine.

I found out that there is also a doctor in Norman that will do a fill for about $178.00 each. Sorry, I don't know his name. There was someone from another board that found him. I know that there is a Bariatric Center there. As for the hunger issue you were worried about... If I start to feel hungry I just mix a scoop of Protein powder with Jello or something and eat it slowly. So far that has stopped the habitual hungry frenzy that I've been in for years. Good Luck! Let me know if you have any more questions. By the way, it's a good idea to have your "new food" ready for you when you get home. The Protein Powder and vitamin's I use have to be ordered from www.walgreens.com., you can't buy them at the store. Beneprotein is the protein powder I use. Optisource is the brand of high Protein Drink and chewable vitamin's. There are a lot of choices and everybody has their favorite.

I sure get carried away blah, blah, blah:)

Thanks so much, Carol. I will get some of this stuff before I go. There are a couple of docs in Norman who are on the web. I'll try calling them.

Hi Sharon! The Docs in Norman are Dr. Keith and Dr Nelson www.owlo.com I haven't called yet so if you do before me, please post if they will or willnot do fills for 1) mexico patients 2) swedish band 3)cost?

Hello! I am a fellow Okie! I live in OKC. My surgeon does lap bands only, no GBP. He told me that he would fill mexican bands back in 2004, you might ought to give him a call and see if he still will. His name is Svein Mattie Holsaeter with Surgical Specialists of Oklahoma (405) 232-4211. Also, I asked him how many he has done and he told me over 100 and that was back in Dec 2004. Good luck!

I called Dr. Holsaeter's office and he doesn't do fills for lapbands done in Mexico. As far as I know, the Oklahoma docs refuse to do fills, yet the insurance for employees of the state government won't pay for any bariatric surgery. This seems rather ironic, I think. But thanks for mentioning him.