Hi All,

I am having my surgery next Thursday March 8th in Monteray, Mexico self-pay! Dr. Rambaut has done more banding surgeries than anyone in the US, Mexico, or Canada and I've been researching him for about 6 months now. I cannot help but to be a bit nervous about not the pain afterwards but more or less what I can or cannot eat..I cannot imagine being full after 3 oz of food per meals..or not drinking Water when I eat...Lifestyle changes will most-def have to occur...I have a lower 34 BMI than most people and wondered if anyone else out here might have the lower BMI like me?? :help: I've been told it's harder for lower BMI bandsters to lose our weight?? I'm 226 5'8 with a goal weight of 150. Any help or feedback is appreciated!

<!-- / message -->

I started with a BMI of 32, and was actually banded in Mexico by Dr Zapata. The not drinking while eating is the most difficult for me, but I am slowly getting used to it. I have only been banded since the 9th.

Let me know if you have questions.

So how have you felt afterwards? Any throwing up or other issues that take some getting used to other than the water intake? Did you walk around allot after surgery? I hear they pump you full of air and you need to do alot of walking?

Overall, I have felt really good. I did walk alot after surgery; it helps with the gas that is in your abdomen. Actually the gas pains were the worst part. I haven't vomited yet (knock on wood). I am 18 days post op and feeling good, I am starting to incorporate real food into my soft diet, and so far, I have some restriction, but not much at this point. I can sleep in any postion now, and seem to be able to move freely without any pain at all. I do have an odd sensation near my ribs on occasion, and I believe that it is my port, but it isn't painful, and I think I am getting used to it. I lost 13 lbs really fast, but haven't lost any in the past 5 days or so, I might have even gained a few. But, that is supposed to happen , or is likely to happen, I guess.

Anyway, overall I am happy about being banded.

I and my friend Jane were banded in Mexico on the same day, June 29. I have a very high BMI and hers was about 32 I think. We both had similar amounts of post op pain, but I had a bit more of the referred diaphragm pain to the left shoulder. I lost 50 lbs very quickly then plateaued for a long while and am only just beginning to lose again. She has lost slowly and steadily with little plateaus and is now very close to her goal weight. She has just gone for a slight unfill because she has company coming from overseas and she wants suspicions on why she's eating so little. She has told me a number of times that it's the best money she's ever spent and she's looking wonderful. She can even fit into her teenage daughter's clothing now!

Good luck with your journey.